Author(s): SOAGemmaGemro & thewrittennerd
Title: Big Surprise
Fandom: Sons Of Anarchy
Pairing: Gemro [Gemma/Nero]
Summary: Gemma & Nero are together, but they are in for an unexpected surprise.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: No characters belong to me they belong to Kurt Sutter & FX.
Author's Notes: (1) I wanted to try my hand at a Gemro [Gemma/Nero] story, because I adore them so much since watching the whole series a few months ago; they are definitely my OTP on the show. This is my first ever fanfiction on Gemro or even in the Sons Of Anarchy fandom in general. I've wanted to write this story idea for a while now. The story will be AU as Gemma/Clay are divorced and he will NOT be making an appearance at all. Nero's son Lucius will be in the story living with Gemma/Nero. The story will purely focus on Gemro; it Jax/Tara will be a couple at first, but not be endgame because I do NOT ship them; Abel & Thomas will be in this story as well. Nero comes into the picture earlier [Season 1]. And last, but not least the Gemma/Tara relationship, they are going to be friends in this story at first. Reviews are welcomed, but please no constructive criticism.
Author Notes: (2) thewrittennerd she & I will be co-writing this story, she will be my beta for fic this as well. Okay so on with the story now...I hope you all will enjoy it!
*I own nothing, but my OC's which are as follows: Gemma's O.B. Dr. Allison Shyer, receptionist Shelly, nurse Melissa & Lucius's caregiver Kayla, Dr. Ellen Hampton [Jax's doctor, Trisha the other receptionist, Dr. Emily Wilkes*
*I'm not a doctor, but I'm going to try & get the medical jargon as accurate as I can although I'm not gonna go into much detail with it either*
Chapter 1: Menopause Or…?
"Men need to be wanted, women need to be loved" - Gemma Teller
*Flashback* - A Year earlier:
The Charming Food Store – 2pm:
It's the afternoon, and Gemma is at the local grocery store in Charming, she's already gotten most of what she needed, but remembers she needs to get some more paper towels, so she goes over to the isle where the paper towels are suddenly she collides with a man.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you" she said, as the man tries to steady her with his hands.
"It's okay" he responded back softly.
She looks at the man, he's tall, dark and handsome, she's immediately smitten with him, the attraction is mutual for him.
"My name is Nero" he said, flirting with her.
"Gemma, it's nice to meet you, Nero" she replied, flirting back.
"Gemma, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman, it's nice to meet you, too" he said, gazing into her eyes.
She giggled. "Thank you" she whispers.
Gemma opens her purse, taking out a white card, handing it to him, he flips it over to the back and realizes it's her phone number.
"Call me" she said, walking away, leaving Nero watching her, smiling.
"I will" he whispers to himself.
End of Flashback
It's morning and Gemma is laying in her bed eyes closed remembering about her first encounter with her boyfriend of a year Nero, who is already up in the kitchen making breakfast and coffee for the both of them. A few moments later Gemma awakens to the smell of food and coffee opening her eyes slowly quickly closing them as the sunlight blinds her, she groans as she swings her legs over the bed putting on her slippers, then gets her robe putting it on. Stretching her body, she rubs her eyes of sleep; walking into the kitchen she spots Nero over at the stove, he turns around to see Gemma looking slightly inhuman he's smiling as he hands her some coffee "Black, lots of sugar right Mama?"
Gemma nodded as she takes the cup from his hand kissing him on the lips "You taste like coffee, baby...I was remembering about when we first met"
Nero chuckled at the comment. "Well good morning to you, too Gem and really? How could I forgot that?.. seems like years ago" shaking her head as she sat down at the table as Nero goes over to the stove to check on the eggs, bacon and toast he had been making for them after a few minutes the food was done and Gemma gets up to help, she got the plates and silverware from the cabinet and drawer.
She sets down their plates and silverware on the table, Nero fills their plates with the eggs, bacon and toast while Gemma gets more coffee for them, she set their cups down next the plates they both start eating, at the same time making small talk. There's a content silence between the two as they finish up eating when Nero breaks it "Baby, I've gotta go to Diosa in a few."
A smile comes to her face as she walks over to put their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. "Okay, well I gotta go to T.M. Anyway to check up on paperwork," she replies wiping down the kitchen counter and table.
Nero is getting dressed in Gemma's bathroom while Gemma is in the other room feeding her bird, as walks out the door he kisses Gemma goodbye and leaves. Moments later Gemma walks to her room to get ready for work, she puts on her make up, then take her heart medicine. She grabs her keys, phone and cigarettes from the dining room table putting them in her purse; then briskly walks into her room, she goes into her closet, reaching her hands up to get two hatboxes, opening them reveals a collection of guns all kinds she picks one out and stuffs it in her purse.
She walks out of the door and locks it behind her; hops into her car, fastens her seat belt and takes off to work. Exhaling sharply she decides to call Nero to see if he got to work okay, as she dials his number she takes out a cigarette from her purse putting it between her lips and lights it up. Her phone rings twice, Gemma picks it up on the second ring. "Hey, Mama." Gemma smiles on the other side of the phone she's glad to hear his voice.
"Hey, baby I just want to see if you got to work okay." Nero smiles too.
"Yeah I did." Gemma blows out smoke from her cigarette before she speaks again.
"I'm glad you got there okay, I'm just headed to work myself," Nero says, getting a woman a drink as he talks to Gemma.
"Okay babe well you have a good day then and I'll see you later," Gemma says sweetly. "Okay bye, I love you."
Nero replies back, "I love you, Gem." Gemma waits for him to hang up before she does.
Moments later she arrives at T.M. parking her car in the empty spot she gets out to see the boys' motorcycles are gone already. As soon as she walks into the office the sweltering heat feels her body she murmurs to herself "Damn it's hot in here" as she's fanning herself with one hand while doing paperwork with the other.
A couple of hours later Gemma finally gets her paperwork done for the day. Tara pokes her head around the office door. "Gemma, I'm heading out if you want to say bye to the boys," the brunette doctor says with a soft smile.
Gemma nods and follows her daughter-in-law out of the office to where Tara's car is sitting idling in the parking lot, leaning in through the window of the back seat to smile at her two grandsons. "Be good for Mommy, okay?" she tells the two boys, who grin at her in return; chorusing "we will, we will".
Tara tilts her head to one side and looks at her mother-in-law. "Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale," she says with concern; biting her lip when Gemma just waves her daughter-in-law's concern off.
"Just been a bit winded lately. I have no idea why," Gemma tells her. Just then Gemma's phone rings, she looks down at the caller ID it's saying "Nero". She answers tiredly. "Hey baby, how's it going over there?"
Nero answers with a smile she can't see "Just fine. You sound tired. Are you okay?" he asks concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine it's just been a long day is all you know, so when are you able to be here at T.M.?"
Nero looks at the watch on his wrist before answering "Probably not until later on. Why?"
As she's about to say something back she has to go back in the office to sit down because she starts feeling a bit dizzy, shaking her head trying to get her dizziness under control she answers "Uh no reason I was just curious is all." Gemma goes silent putting her hand on her forehead, looking at the floor causing Nero to call her name into the phone.
"Gemma...Mama, you sure you're okay?" Taking a breath, then clearing her throat she answers back.
"Yes, Nero I'm fine really." Nero knows how stubborn Gemma is and can tell something's wrong with her even though he's not there with her, but he lets it go for now.
"Okay well, I will let you get back to work, Mama, stay safe," Nero says before ending the call. He looks up at the women who had been gathered around to hear his phone conversation but Nero shakes his head to wave off their concern. "She's fine, you all can go back to work."
They all nod before doing as he had asked though Lyla hangs back, concern still in her expression.
Gemma waits until she hears the click on the other end before she hangs up. Taking a few deep breaths she slowly rises from the couch getting herself a drink of water from the water dispenser. Holding the cup in her hand she sits in her chair before taking a small sip of the water, clearing her throat she places the plastic cup down on her desk.
She's thankful for the quietness at the moment especially since she's still not feeling well. She sits at her desk thinking out loud in her head. "This is strange, what's wrong with me?" she asks herself. At the moment she's about to leave for the day her phone comes to life again with a ring, she looks at the ID "Tara" shaking her head in annoyance, Gemma mutters to herself, "Ugh great just what I need her checking on me."
Her phone rings for a third time, Gemma finally answers it while trying to keep Tara from knowing she's still not feeling well. "Hello" she says steadily. "Hey Gemma, how's it going?" Tara answers while sitting on the couch giving Thomas his bottle, Abel is coloring on the floor.
Gemma is silent for a few seconds before putting on her innocent voice. "I'm great, how are my grandbabies?" In Tara's mind she doesn't believe her mother-in-law for a minute saying she's fine, Gemma has been looking awful lately and Tara wants to know why.
Tara decides if she's going to get a truthful answer out of Gemma she's going to have to wait for her to come out with it on her own, that is if she ever does tell her the truth, she puts the thought out of her mind for the time being and just answers back happily "Abel and Thomas are doing just fine, Grandma."
Gemma smiles upon hearing that news "I'm so glad they are doing well. That's what a Grandma loves to hear." After a few minutes of silence, Gemma suddenly speaks again, she's sitting in her chair playing with a pen she has in her hand "I think I'll come over to see my grandbabies if that's okay with you since I'm done with my work at T.M."
Tara replies simply, "Sure, Gemma that's fine, I know the boys would love to see you."
Gemma clicks off the button on her phone hanging it up and walks out of the office shutting the door behind her. While walking toward her car she puts on her sunglasses. She opens her car door, gets in then puts on her seat belt, starts the car and heads to Tara's.
She gets to Tara's shortly thereafter, getting out the key that Tara had given her she unlocks the door with ease and she walks into the house announcing, "Hey, it's me."
Abel comes running up to her happily. "Grandma!" he screams excitedly.
Gemma looks down at the child, getting down to his level "Hey baby, how is my little man?" She asks.
"I'm good," he says joyfully.
She stands back up, but as she does she almost trips over herself, she holds onto the wall nearby to steady herself. Just then Tara walks into the living room from the nursery when she was putting Tommy down for his nap. She gasps at the scene before her. "Gemma, Jesus are you okay?" Tara doesn't wait for an answer back she takes Gemma hand and leads her over to the couch, sitting her down gently.
Tara shakes her head as she sit across from on the chair Gemma thinking: So much for being fine, I knew that was a lie why does she have to be so damn stubborn!
Taking a deep breath Tara decides now is the time to confront Gemma about what's going on with her especially after she really takes a look at her. "You know Gemma I know you're still not feeling well, so what gives? What's going on with you? You look terrible."
Gemma looks at over at her daughter – in – law with the death glare Tara knows all too well. "Just what the hell are you trying to say!?" she asks angrily.
Tara clears her throat. "I think you know what it means, Gemma."
Gemma stays silence looking down at the floor for quite a while, then looks back over at Tara licking her lips nervously she speaks. "Okay the truth is I don't know what's going on with me…" She stops for a minute trying to compose herself I think it might be menopause," she says the last part almost as if she's embarrassed, and she adds, "Getting old sucks."
Tara looks at her sympathetically. "Gemma it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Gemma groans. "Thanks that makes me feel so much better, Mom."
Tara walks over to the couch giving Gemma a hug. "It'll be okay you know it's not the end of the world."
Gemma sighs heavily with tears in her eyes. "Yeah well it feels like it is."
The younger of the two women gives Gemma an affectionate kiss on the side of Gemma's head. "I'm sure that whatever it is, you'll get through it," the brunette doctor tells Gemma in a soft tone.
"What would I do without you, Tara?" Gemma asks, sniffling a little.
"I'd probably be a bitter and terrible daughter-in-law to you," Tara replies with a slight smile, hoping that will make Gemma feel better and maybe laugh a little.
The idea in Tara's mind works and Gemma lets a smile curl her lips upward before she turns to her daughter-in-law and kisses the side of Tara's head with the same affection that Tara had shown to her. "But you're not, and I'm grateful for that," Gemma says.
"Plus I'm your grandbabies' mother," Tara says with another smile before the two women hear Abel call out to them both from his room. Both Gemma & Tara go in that direction to check on the boys, both women laughing at the sight before them. "What are you boys up to?"
"We're cleaning up, Mama!" Abel declares to his mother in a gleeful manner, giggling as his brother wiggles around in the toy box next to Abel. Tara just shakes her head and moves over to pick Thomas up out of the toy box, holding him on one hip while Gemma picks Abel up into her arms.
"You boys are going to run both Mommy & Grandma ragged, you know that?" Gemma says, tapping her oldest grandson on the nose with the tip of her polished fingernail.
As Gemma continues carrying her oldest grandchild, he looks at her. "I'm hungry, Grandma."
She smiles at him. "Okay, sweetheart." As she strides into the kitchen, Gemma is settling Abel down into a chair, walking the few steps to the fridge, she reaches for the box of Goldfish crackers that are up on top pouring them into a little plastic child's bowl. Abel picks up a few goldfish shoveling them into his mouth as Gemma looks at him with eyes of concern. "Whoa, slow down there, buddy. You're gonna choke."
Abel giggles at her comment, but slows down his eating. Gemma sits down in the other chair across from her grandson as he continue eating his snack, she yawns rubbing her hands over her face, Abel looks at his grandmother worriedly. "Grandma, are you okay?"
Gemma just shakes her head yes. "Grandma's just really tired, sweetheart."
With that comment Abel shakes his head in understanding saying simply, "Oh." Abel finishes up his snack and hops down off of the chair, walking back to the living to join his mother and brother while Gemma looks on from the kitchen drained.
After a few minutes Gemma gets up from the chair walking into the living room where Tara has Tommy in her arms playing with him announcing, "I'm gonna go now, baby."
Tara looks up at her surprised. "Oh okay, are you all right?"
"Yeah." Gemma feigns a happy smile. Putting her purse on her shoulder, she gives her grandsons kisses goodbye then kisses Tara on the cheek and walks out the door.
Gemma arrives home a few minutes later, thankful Nero isn't home yet, one look at her face and he'll notice something's wrong with her, then start asking questions which she doesn't really want to deal with right now; putting her key in hole she turns the door knob unlocking it, she throws her purse and keys down onto the table, she is so tired she feels like she's going to pass out. Walking to her bedroom she slowly takes off her shoes and notices that her feet are swollen, but chalks it up to the medication she takes for her heart condition, yawning loudly she lays her head down on the pillow, within moments she's sound asleep.
A few hours later, hearing the back door slam shut, Gemma slowly opens her eyes. Shit, how long have I been asleep? she thought her body is still limp with exhaustion not wanting to move from the bed, she looks over to see Nero staring at her from outside the door way, she knows that look she sees on his face all too well: concern she looks away from him as he comes over to her and sits on the edge of the bed, he kisses her on her forehead, whispering "Hey Mama, are you sick or somethin'? This isn't like you, you been sleepin' this whole time?" He asks as he takes her hand kissing the front of it. Gemma is still faced away from him so he takes his fingertip gently making her look at him she doesn't know what to tell him right now, but she doesn't want to keep things from him so she tells him the truth because she knows that she doesn't always have be the strong one around him.
"Okay the truth is I don't know what's going on, but I think it's you know...menopause shit and I hate it." She starts crying again. "I'm sorry," she says apologetically.
Nero comfortingly her taking her in his arms rocking her. "Hey, Hey baby it's okay, I'm here," he whispers soothingly. Gemma's now sniffling, and Nero wipes her tears away with his fingers gently kissing her on her lips.
The two are silent for a few moments when she speaks again. "My feet are also swollen, but that's from my meds I'm sure…" Clearing her throat slightly she stares at Nero for a split second before looking asking "Baby, am I still beautiful to you?"
Nero looks at her like she's joking. "What? Gem...Mama you are the most beautiful woman ever I can't imagine my life without you in it, I love you so much."
Gemma chuckles softly at his words. "Thank you, I still needed to hear you say that because I'm feeling so sad right now"
Nero smiles at her. "I got you, Mama." He gives her a hug as they learn their foreheads together holding each others hands, smiling at one another.
Gemma finally gets enough energy to get up from the bed, walking from the bedroom to the dinning room she checks on her bird, seeing that he's okay, has his food and water she covers him up for the night while Nero fixes him and Gemma a late night dinner.
Gemma sits down at the kitchen table silently just thinking a million thoughts her mind is spinning what if it isn't menopause, what if it's something else that's wrong, something serious Just then a gently tap on her hand startles her "Gemma… Hey baby." Gemma shakes the thoughts out of her mind as Nero stares deeply into her tear stained eyes "What are you thinkin' about?"
"I'm so scared, Nero. What if it's not menopause, but something else that's wrong?" she admits knowing that he'd never judge her that's what she loves about him she can tell him anything and be able to let her walls down something she could never do with Clay or even JT for that matter.
Nero listens to her fears and offers his advice. "Listen Gemma I'll still be here with you no matter what it is because you're stuck with me, baby. Forever. we'll get through this together, Mama. You're my girl."
Gemma kisses him on the lip gratefully. "Thanks and you're right how did I get so lucky to have you in my life?" she asks seriously.
"I don't know, baby but we find who we find." Gemma just nods her head agreeing with him.
Nero gets up from the table checking on the dinner he's made. It's done so he reaches for some plates and silverware from the drawer while pouring some drinks for them. Nero sets the plates down on the table in front of him and Gemma with the food on them, Nero eats right away, but Gemma all of the sudden has no appetite if she didn't know any better she thinks she getting nauseous Oh great this is just what I need more symptoms, shit! Nero cleans his plate in a matter of minutes, while Gemma is just picking at her food with her fork not eating much at all.
Nero looks at her commenting, "Gem, you're not hungry?"
"No, I'm not, I'm sorry," she apologizes.
Nero holds up his hand to stop her. "Don't apologize, Mama." Gemma licks her lips, then taking a slip of her water. Nero watches her silently while rubbing her arm. She gets up from the table and that's when her stomach decides that wasn't a good idea as she puts her hand over her mouth covering it, running to the bathroom.
Making it to the bathroom just in time as she starts getting rid of everything she had eaten earlier, Nero rushes into the bathroom to comfort her, he rubs her back and pulls her her hair back as she gasps breathlessly continuing to throw up.
His thoughts drift off to when Gemma had first told him about finally being free of Clay and that he had met someone else, moving away with them as soon as he was released from prison on parole – the woman happened to be a parole officer & Marine with a battlefield related injury.
After a few more moments Gemma lifts up her head from the toilet, she groans as Nero gets up from the floor for a second to grab a glass of water. He hands her the water. "just sip it" She looks at him thinking, Yeah I know. She takes a sip from the cup, handing it back to Nero. He puts the cup down on the sink gently putting his arms around her waist careful not to touch her stomach. Gemma put her arm around him as he guides her out of the bathroom then into the bedroom sitting her on the bed gently. He then walks into the bathroom, flushes the toilet and puts the lid down.
Gemma gets up from the bed, looking for her cigarettes she fawns scanning the bedroom she doesn't find them. Nero comes back into the room asking, "What are you lookin' for, Mama?"
Gemma answers hoarsely, "My damn cigarettes. I can't find them anywhere. Have you seen them?" she asks with a smile.
Nero shrugs his shoulders. "No, but maybe check the other room."
Gemma nods. "Hmm good idea."
She briskly walks into the other room finally finding them on the kitchen table thank god she mumbles to herself. Sighing she walks over to the cabinet she spots what she's looking for the vodka grabbing the bottle she unscrews the bottle and pours it into a shot glass as she sits at the table she lights up her cigarette and starts smoking, after a few short puffs on it she all of the sudden she gets a queasy feeling in her stomach. Next she tries to drink a bit of the vodka only one sip in, her stomach isn't having it at all. She puts out her cigarette, pours the rest of the vodka out into the sink ugh this is so strange I've never had this before with vodka or cigarettes, what the hell is going on with me? I guess it's no more of that for me she doesn't know what to think as she returns to Nero whose laying down on the bed waiting for his beloved to be by his side once again.
As she lays in bed beside Nero her mind runs away with her as she thinks back...
*flashback* A few weeks earlier:
Nero kisses Gemma passionately on her lips as she takes off her shirt exposing her bra, Nero unclips it from her body, she moans as his hands caress her hardened nipples taking them into his mouth sucking, nibbling "mmm" her back arches, Nero trails kisses down her neck to her stomach, then unbuttons her jeans, he hand moves into her panties feeling around her wetness is already there, his touch sends shivers all through her body, he teasing her for a moment "Baby, don't..." she whispers softly, she gasps as his fingers enter moving into her as her moaning becomes intense "God, Nero" after a few moments he removes his fingers from her, she looks down at him confused "Baby, why'd you stop?" With another word, Gemma takes control by ripping off his shirt, kissing him letting her tongue slip into his mouth, he moans "God, Gem" she touches his member through his pants gently caressing it, in one quick motion he takes off his pants throwing them into floor, then goes his boxers getting on top of her, his hardness is felt on the inside of her thighs, she begs moaning "Baby, please inside me" he enters her finding their natural rhythm as Gemma holds onto him as he buries himself deeper into her with each thrust, she moans and pants whispering "Don't stop" as her climax gets closer and closer as Nero whispers into her ear "I love you, Mama" Gemma whispers back "I love you too, baby" just then Gemma climaxes; Nero collapses onto Gemma smiling, their breathing is heavy as the sweat is pouring off of them "Oh God, baby that was amazing...as usual" Nero remarks "Anything to make you happy, babe"
End of flashback
That's when Gemma bolts up from the bed whispering "Shit!" Nero hears this; he sits up concerned "Mama, you okay?, what's wrong?" Gemma gives him a forced, yet reassuring smile "Nothing...I'm fine really" he looks at her, suspiciously she kisses him, he can tell she's not okay, but he's not gonna push her, he pulls her close to him and they lay together with Gemma's mind racing as she puts her hand to her stomach.
The following day Gemma is alone at home after Nero has gone to work and glances toward the stack of unopened boxes sitting on the bathroom counter in front of her. Why was it so difficult to even take a pregnancy test? Grabbing for a box, Gemma rips it open with the tip of one fingernail; knowing that it would take more than one pregnancy test to make sure that this was actually happening to her.
Opening another box and then another, Gemma lets out a soft but heavy sigh as she prepares to take all three tests over with her to use them. Maybe they'd all be negative, but Gemma really had no way of knowing without taking them.
It was now or never.
All Gemma needed to do was wait.
To Be Continued...
