Chapter 8

Jess POV

The next couple of days had been busy. Everyone had been happy for me and Hap. Opie told us that Jax had taken off to the cabin for a few days to clear his head. Ope didn't have to tell me that Jax had left because it was too hard for him to see me with Hap. It was a couple days later when the Tacoma boys headed back. Hap and I were standing out in the lot saying goodbye to everyone. "I wish you were coming with me." He said.

"I know. But I need to figure out things with Ope and as soon as I'm sure that he'll be okay, I'll come home." I told him.

"I know. I talked to Ope, he's going to keep Jax in line. If he gives you anymore problems, call me." Hap said.

"I'm sure I'll be fine." I said. I leaned up and kissed him. "Ride safe."

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "I always ride safe." He told me.

I took a few steps back and stood with Gemma and Clay as we watched the Tacoma boys ride out. I really hoped that Ope would be okay with the kids so that I could go home before too long. I looked over at Gemma, she'd been in a car wreck recently. "How are you feeling, Gem?" I asked.

"Oh I'm okay baby. Just sore. You gotta pick up the kids, right?" I nodded. "Well, you better get going." She said giving me a nudge towards my car.

That night, after I'd picked up the kids, fed them and gotten them in bed, I sat on Opie's couch and waited for him to come in. Mary had approached me earlier in the day and told me that she was leaving Charming. I was honestly surprised that she stayed as long as she did. It was another hour before Ope came walking in the door. "Hey." I said.

"Hey. Didn't think you'd still be up?" He said.

"Yeah, well… I wanted to talk to you." I said. He walked over and sat beside me. "Mary took off today. Said something about checking on Piney up at the cabin." I told him.

"Yeah, well. She couldn't be a mother back then… guess she can't be a grandmother now." Ope said.

"I'm sorry Ope." I told him.

"You should go back to Tacoma. Go home to Hap." Ope said.

I look at him confused. "What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Jess, I have to learn to be by myself and take care of Kenny and Ellie on my own. I appreciate you coming and helping… but it's time." Ope said.

I sighed. He was right. I couldn't stay forever but I'd be here if he needed to me. "I know, you're right. I just don't wanna leave if you still need me here." I told him.

Ope pulled me in for a hug. "Jess, we'll be fine. And if we do need you, your only a phone call away." He told me.

"I guess I'll go pack then." I told him standing up.

"Be sure to tell everyone bye this time." Ope said.

I smiled at him. "I will." I headed down the hall to my room to pack my stuff.

The next morning, I told Kenny and Ellie that I was leaving but that if they needed me they could always call me. That I'd always be there for them. Then, Ope took them to school while I headed to TM to say good-bye. When I pulled into the lot, I headed into the office to see Gem first. I stood in the doorway and she looked up at me. I guess my face said everything. "Your leaving?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. Ope told me it's time." I told her.

She stood up and walked over to me, pulling me into a hug. "We'll miss you around here. Don't worry about Jackson, I don't blame you for things not working out between the two of you. He needs to work on his communication skills." She told me smiling at me.

"Thanks Gem. For everything." I told her.

"Anytime baby. Now, go say bye to the boys so you can get on the road." She said, nudging me out the door.

I made my way over to the clubhouse, noticing that Jax's bike was still gone. When I walked into the clubhouse, I told the guys that I was heading back to SAMTAC. Of course they were all sad. They were my family, whether Jax and I were together or not.

After I said my good-byes, I walked over to my car and took one last look around. Who knew when I'd be back in Charming.