A Second Chance Ch. 2
Driving past the sign, 'Welcome to Charming' Liz finally felt some of the weight lift off her shoulders, it had been a long 3 days of traveling. Pulling into the little hotel off the main strip, she stepped out of the car, it felt good to get blood flowing into her legs. Taking a second to stretch her back, Liz took a quick look around the hotel, while it was cute and quant, she knew she didn't want to stay here too long, if the interview at St. Thomas went as well as she hoped for, she would get a realtor ASAP.
Finding her way to the front office, she quickly checked in, and made her way to the room. Priority number one was to fall into the bed, Liz was too tired to even take a shower, her last thought before she felt herself be pulled to sleep was hoping that her showing up and surprising Luna would go over well.
After a couple of weeks of house hunting, she finally settled on a cute 3-bedroom 2 bath fixer upper. It was the start of a new chapter for herself. As she walked around the house, she couldn't help but feel like she was doing the right thing, after walking in on Mark fucking someone in his office, she had enough. Enough of the lies, enough of the excuses and lack of effort from him.
She wasn't that girl, who kept herself around a guy in the hopes that he would change, but there she was, working her way through nursing school, doing everything she could to graduate at top of her class, all while Mark would do everything in his power to convince her to quit, become a housewife, just be a baby making machine. Not that she had issues with having a child, but why couldn't she have her career too, she wanted it all, a great career, and a family.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she stared around the living room, her heart hurt a bit for wasting the last four years of her life with someone that had absolutely no respect for her. As she walked towards the kitchen, she made a promise to herself in the moment, no matter what, no matter who she would end up with, she would never put herself in a position to be compromised or treated like she wasn't someone important.
Hearing her phone chime, she looked down she couldn't help but smile, Sharon the hospital coordinator telling her to come in and finish her new hire paperwork. Grabbing her purse, she made her way out the door and straight to St. Thomas it was time to get that done and show up on her friends' door. Knowing that she would either love it or freak out.
Sharon smiled down at her new hire; it was a great addition to their staff. Extending her hand, "Look forward to seeing you walking our halls. Is Monday too soon?" she asked, hoping that she could get her into rotation as quickly as possible.
Taking her head, Liz couldn't keep the smile on her face, "That's perfect for me." Taking a second to think about it, "Do you think you can show me around a bit, wouldn't do me good getting lost on my first day."
"Absolutely, we'll start on L&D, work our way down to the ER." Opening the door, she indicated for the young woman to follow her.
"So, this is our ER, oh, good, I'd love you our resident ARNP." Making her way to Luna, hoping that they would get along, she did run a tight ship down in the ER, "Luna, I'm glad that you came down, I want to introduce you to our new labor and delivery RN. Luna this is…."
Looking up at the face of her childhood friend, "Lizard Breath?" she stammered, completely taken off guard.
Liz couldn't help but chuckle at her face, smiling at her, "Hey Moon Beam."
Sharon was shocked, "You two know each other?" she asked. Hoping that this was a good thing. Carefully watching them.
Luna turned towards her boss, "Yea, we grew up together, until college she went to the east coast I stayed in Chicago." Looking back at her friend, "What are you doing here?"
Sighing, "As you know Mark and I broke up, and while it sucked, I got over it, it took a little bit, but I felt I needed a change, I didn't want to go back to Chicago, and you're always talking about Charming, so I've researching your little town, and with the schools, and hospital, I figured if you moving here got you the change you needed, maybe it can for me."
Sharon realized that this was great, at least she didn't have to worry about any of her staff fighting. Seeing that they were wanting to catch up, she politely excused herself, leaving them to talk.
Luna understood that. "I get it. Are you scheduled to work now or are you free?" she asked.
Smiling, "I start Monday." Liz was grateful her friend was excited to see her, she really needed her. She was still feeling off kilter after the move, and all the changes that were taken place in her life.
Nodding, "So do you have a place to stay or are you hotel hopping?" she asked.
"I don't do hotels unless I can help it, no, I just closed on a house today." She stayed, snorting at her friends face.
Luna was surprised, "Really? How long have you been here?" she was so curious.
Having the decency to look down, "About 2 weeks." She could see Luna's eyes shoot up, "I was going to tell you, I swear, but I really wanted to surprise you." Holding out her arms, "Surprise."
Shaking her head, "What am I going to do with you?" Luna knew that her friend was unpredictable, but that was one the million reasons she loved her, while a little crazy, she was loyal.
Liz kept in step with Luna as they made their way out the door, "Where we going? Can I meet your baby? Is your bf hot? Does he give good dick?" she rattled off. Wanting to know about the biker.
Luna couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Yes to all." Pulling out her phone she quickly sent Jax a message that Liz was coming over for dinner, and to be nice. Thinking about it she sent her name, DOB, to him.
L: She's my childhood friend, but I know that Juice needs to clear her.
J: OK, be careful, thanks for understanding baby.
L: It's the life. See you to night.
J: That it is. Love you.
L: Love you too.
Liz watched as she texted her boyfriend, she could see that she was happy, but a little irritated, "What's with the face Moon Beam?"
Shaking her head, Luna knew was like her, good reading a room, "You know I love you, and trust you, but someone new, the club likes to check on them." Hoping that she wasn't going to freakout or be offended.
Blinking at her, when she said she was with a biker, who was the President, she didn't know what to expect, but hearing that it was a clear indication that they were not weekend warriors, but actual bikers. Well holy shit. "Wow, so, you went from dating preppy boys, too a legit out-law? Dick must be great!" She said laughing at her face.
"Shut up," Looking around, she couldn't help but laugh at that, "Yes, it is." Jumping in her truck, she could see Liz head towards hers, taking off Luna made her way to her house.
Jax walked in with Otto, Happy, and Opie, following the sound of her laughter, as he turned the corner, he found his son holding onto a cute little red head, while Luna was in the kitchen getting dinner ready. "Hey babe."
Looking up from the stove, she couldn't help but smile, "Hey." Turning the oven off, she carefully brought things to the table, "Needs to sit for a bit." Her eyes taking in the men staring at her friend. "Guys, this is Elizabeth Miller, Liz, this is my old man, Jax, Big Otto, Happy, and last but certainly not least, Opie. Guys this is my sister from another mister."
Liz looked at them, she could see the blonde one was standing in front of the guys, President on his chest, so he was in charge, the others had Sgt. at Arms, based on the way they were standing, solider types, if she didn't trust her friend when she said that they weren't going to hurt her, she would have been a little intimidated at the whole thing.
Taking a deep breath, she put Abel on her hip, extending her other hand, "Pleasure to meet you." Giving each one of them a handshake. When she got to the tall bald one, she could feel his dark brown eyes watching her, it was definitely scary, but also exhilarating.
Happy watched her, her bright blue eyes watching each one of them, he recognized that look, it was the same one that Luna had when she was determining if they were a threat. His eyes taking in her body, she was hot, her hair was a strawberry blonde, a few freckles on her nose, but it was her eyes that held his attention, it was like she could see right into him. It was unsettling, the only time that happened was with Luna.
Luna watched them, she could her caution, that was something that she could understand, until you got to know Happy, he was an intimidating person. But she wasn't worried, at the end of the day Liz could handle her own shit, she knew it was only a matter of time before Liz would challenge her to a fight. And when her background come back clean, she was going to introduce her to Gemma, Donna, and the rest of the club, she would love nothing more than a friend from her past and the people of her future get along. "Everybody take a seat, dinner's ready."
Liz found herself between Happy and Otto, finding herself a little curious about the men she was squeezed between, "So, do you guys have," looking at her friend, "old lady? Right?"
Luna nodded, "Yeah. Not the best name, but what are you going to do?" She said, smiling at Jax when he shook his head.
Otto looked down at her, he liked her, he could tell she was smart, just like his kid, and that she wasn't like the rest of the bitches that came around the club, she wasn't a whore, it was good for the guys to interact with normal woman from time to time. "Yeah, my old lady is Luanne, she owns and runs Cara Cara." Smiling when her eyes lit up.
"OH, you're that Otto, Luna told me a bit about you and your wife. I'm glad that you got out, seems you were pulling her heart strings." That was one thing that Luna had was a huge heart for the those she loved.
Otto couldn't help but smile at that, "Feelings mutual, I kind of adopted that one." Pointing to her.
Liz snorted, "See you got her grown, if you would have known her as a young kid, she'd drive you insane." Dodging a roll that was tossed at her. "What you were such a troublemaker."
Shaking her head, "Shut up please." Knowing that if this line of questioning continued a lot of embarrassing stories would come out, not that she was ashamed.
Jax laughed, "Oh, she was? Tell me something about my lady." His eyes watching his girl.
Shaking her head, "That would be a no President. While you are a badass out-law, you haven't earned my loyalty, but she has. So, perhaps next time." Her eyes finding the bald one watching her, "So, what about you? Old lady? Kids?"
Happy enjoyed how she was engaging with them, she wasn't afraid or giving off the vibe that she was a croweater, but hearing her question, made him a little uneasy, talking about his time with Luna was something no one did, not even the whores, that was just how it had to be. He could feel Luna watching him, giving him a small smile, "No, haven't met the right one."
Liz could tell he was lying but wasn't in any position to call him out on it, nor would she in a such a public forum. Giving him a smile, "I get that, just don't settle." Seeing him nod, she looked at the one with the beanie, "You?"
Opie smiled at her, liking her, she was asking questions to get to know them, he could see that she wasn't stupid, good, having less cum catchers around would be good for the club, "Yeah, married almost 10 years, 2 kids. Kenny and Ellie, 9 and 7."
"Domesticated. I can appreciate that." She said, her eyes finding her friend smiling at her, "What?"
Luna couldn't help but snort, "You're hilarious, I hope you know that. Calling a biker domesticated. You live on the edge."
Shrugging her shoulders, "Got to get my kicks some way." Thinking about the summer before they separated for college, it was the first time that they were really apart from each other, "We could always go back to Gravity Falls," seeing her friend smile, "That was one hell of a trip."
Happy looked at them, he could see the smiles that they shared, "What's Gravity Falls?" he asked, surprised that he liked it when she watched him.
Liz was taken back by how deep and gravely his voice was, giving him a smile, "It's a waterfall in Costa Rica, we spent our summer travelling around, ended up there on our way home." Her eyes turning toward Luna, "Someone lost their top when she jumped." Snorting at her face.
"Really!? You are a shitty friend." Luna teased her. She could feel Jax looking at her, "What?"
Reaching over to touch her hand, "Costa Rica? How do I not know this?" Generally curious about her life before Charming.
Liz couldn't help but laugh, "Costa Rica, Texas, Alaska, Canada, Mexico. We got around. You remember Mexico, right?" Raising her eyebrows up and down. Smiling at her discomfort.
Feeling someone look at her, Liz turned to find his dark coal eyes watching her, "May I help you?" she asked, with a smile on her face.
Happy could see that her eyes were filled with mischief, "Not at the moment," giving her a once over. Turning towards Luna, "What did you do in Mexico little girl?"
Luna could feel her family watching her, rolling her eyes, she knew that they weren't going to drop it, her green eyes finding Liz, "You and I are going to have a big talk later about your need to embarrass me." Letting out a sigh, "Liz started a bar fight."
Offended, "What! Me, you." Taking a second to think about it, "You hit that guy in the face with the 8-ball!"
"After you took a bottle to his friend for grabbing your ass!" Her eyes locked on her friend, "See, you started it, I was just an amazing friend to get us out of there."
Happy looked at Luna, then back to Liz, of course Luna would have a friend just as tough as her. He could see Jax thinking the same thing, "Good luck Pres, seems like your old lady is spunky." Thinking about his time with her, he always knew that she was a tough little thing, never taking shit from whores or any of the hang arounds, but to hear that the two of them were getting into bar fights, he was shocked.
Looking down at the red head, Liz, he could see that she was fearless. He could appreciate that, but the more he looked at her, the more he wanted to know about her. Shaking his head clear of that, she was going to be off limits, Luna would make sure of that.
Jax stared at her, then back at her friend, "Are you two going to be trouble?" He knew the answer, it was a yes.
Luna leaned over kissing his cheek, "No, not unless it's required. I've mellowed out." Her eyes finding Liz who had that look of mischief on her face.
Laughing at his question, "I make no such promises." Seeing the guys laugh she could almost see Jax age in front of her. "I'll do my best not to get her into trouble though. Don't want to be banned or anything."
Tilting his head back, Jax let out a deep laugh, which was echoed by the others around the table, his eyes finding hers, "I guess that's all I can ask for."
A couple hours passed, and Liz was getting tired, making a move to stand, she said her goodnights, but it was his dark eyes that watched her that made her a bit nervous. "See you tomorrow, Luna." With that made her way home.
Happy watched her leave, he felt weird about watching her, but his instincts told him to keep an eye on her. Not understanding why, he took a second to get his mind off the hot red head that just left. Looking over at Luna, he caught her watching him, that was a line he wasn't going to cross, it has taken them a bit to be comfortable around each other, and no matter what he cared for her, and he wasn't going to ruin that by fucking her friend.
Hearing her doorbell, Liz went to the door, finding Luna and tall brunette on the other side, opening the door, "Morning, who's this?" she asked curious to see who was showing up on her doorstep.
Luna just smiled, "Liz, this is Gemma she's Clay's old lady, wife, and Jax's mom. Figured better to introduce you know, get it over with."
Liz read between the lines, she was the queen of the bikers, and if she didn't like her, she wouldn't be welcome around. Extending her hand, "Elizabeth, but I prefer Liz, good to meet you."
Gemma smiled, taking her hand, "Gemma." She could tell instantly she was a good girl, not some whore. Good, she didn't want her daughter being friends with a croweater.
Stepping aside, "Please come on in. Sorry for the mess, I'm renovating." Looking around, there was a couple of crappy chairs for them to sit on, not wanting to buy any new furniture until everything was done.
Looking around, Gemma could see that she was definitely renovating, the kitchen was torn up, a few walls were knocked down, "Jesus, seems like you are starting from scratch."
Laughing out, "Yeah, pretty much, I did most of this over the last week, but Monday, I have a crew coming in to finish it up. The floors and kitchen should be done this week." Indicating for them to sit down.
Luna could understand, it was what she did when she first came to Charming, bought a house that needed a lot of work, fixed it up making it the perfect home for her. While it took a month to get everything finished, she was grateful for it. "Looks good Liz."
Smiling at her friend, "Thanks," giving Gemma a look, she could see that she wanted to ask a bunch of questions, but seemed to be holding back, perhaps not wanting to scare her off. Looking her over, it wasn't because she was a polite person, it was only for Luna's benefit.
Taking a deep breath, "Ask, anything you want. Don't hold back." She knew that by opening that door, was the quickest way for Gemma to determine her worth, while she wasn't sure about out-law life, she wanted to be in Luna's and if this is what she had to do, she would.
Gemma smirked at her, "You're smart. I like that." Pulling out a joint, "You mind?"
Liz smiled, "No." Standing to get a can for her to ash in, while she was up, she grabbed a few bottles of water, handing them to her friend and Gemma. Sitting back down, ready for whatever she was about to do.
Taking a sip, Gemma looked over at her daughter, she could see her shrug, that was all she needed. "Fine, what made you leave NJ?" Thinking back on what Juice found out about her.
Straight to the meat of it, well shit. Liz smiled at her, "I was in a 4-year relationship, we broke up about a year ago, found him fucking some bitch in his office at work." Taking a sip, "I stuck around for a bit, didn't want to tuck tail and run, but the more I thought about it, I realized that he was the only reason I stayed in NJ in the first place, Luna here, talked so wonderful about this place, figured if she was happy here, I'd give it a go myself."
Exhaling her smoke, she eyed the woman, she could appreciate her reasoning, but if she was going to be around, she'd probably hear shit, and if she couldn't be trusted then she'd be sent packing. "Have you been around a club before?" Wanting to know if she had any experience.
Shaking her head, "No, not really."
Leaning back, "It's an interesting life, but old lady or not, friend or not, you don't talk about shit to anyone, understand?" Keeping her eyes pinned on her.
Liz understood that meaning, very clearly, "I understand, keep my mouth shut. Got it." Letting out a sigh, "Is there anything else I should know, or not know so I don't piss anyone off?"
Gemma liked her, "You jump from brother to brother, they will treat you like a whore," realizing she needed to amend that statement a bit, "Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I wouldn't recommend it."
Nodding, "OK, umm what do I do if one of them pushes up on me, and I don't want to, they take no for an answer, right?" Not that she was really worried about that, if anyone got too handsy, she'd removed their hand, biker or not, she wasn't a piece of ass to grab onto.
Luna could see her brain going straight for violence, a part of her was excited to see what she would do once she started coming to the parties, the skanks on the lot wouldn't fair too well with her. "Of course, if you decide to come to a party, you'll come with me, you'll come as my friend, you'll still get hit on, cause your hot, and new, but a polite no thanks, you'll be fine."
Nodding, she could see Gemma smiling at Luna, anyone could see the love that was between them. "Good to know, don't want to have to curb stomp a biker, doesn't seem like a smart move."
Gemma laughed, "No, probably not." Letting out a sigh, she could see that Liz would fit in well, and perhaps, Chibs, or hell even Juice could link up with her. "One thing, Luna, I, Luanne, and Donna, we are the old ladies on the lot, anyone else, they are just croweaters," seeing her confusion, "whores that fuck patched members, they give you any shit, fuck them up, you're a friend, not a whore got it."
Liz blinked, her eyes turning to her friend, "You let your man fuck bitches? WHAT THE HELL?" Instantly offended for her friend, and ready to slap the shit out of Jax.
Holding her hands up, "No, no. Breath girl." Luna could see the anger coming off Liz, and the amusement from Gemma, "Unattached patched members."
Leaning back, she could feel her temper coming down, "Oh OK, that's good." She could see Gemma smiling at her, "I have issues with cheaters, obviously." Hoping that she didn't offend the woman.
Tossing her roach in the ashtray, "Clearly. Don't worry, my son knows better, we've all seen how Luna can beat someone's ass."
Sharing a look with her friend, Liz could see that Luna didn't show them even a fraction of what she could do, smirking at her, "Yeah, she's one tough bitch."
They spend the rest of the time bullshitting, Gemma even made arrangements for Liz to come to family dinner on Friday.
Liz watched as they got into Gemma's SUV, she felt something inside her, she knew that it wasn't going to be instant with Gemma or the SONs, but she could feel it in her bones, she had a chance to be included in their life as part of the family. That was something that she desperately needed in her life, a family.