A special thank you to McIlwain for her constant pushing and nudging and helping me take a pile of words and some ancient history and make a story out of them.

Thank you kiara8921's Heart of the Lioness for sending her Fresno Charter to Charming to help SAMCRO when the mother charter is in need of their help.

When Jax walks into the waiting room he can't help but to chuckle. It looks like a SOA camping trip with all the guys all laid across chairs and couches. He figures that Margaret is having a duck fit right about now. They didn't show any signs of going home any time soon and the brothers they seem to have multiplied from earlier today. It suddenly dawns on him the only ones that aren't here, are the ones that are either on guard duty or running an errand for the club.

So much has happened in the past year with Clay and Gemma that Jax has forgotten just how much the guys really love Tara. Since she had her accident almost 9 months ago-hell, accident wasn't even the word for it since she was almost killed 9 months ago Jax had been walking around carrying so much guilt that he would subconsciously walked around Tara, he couldn't face her. When he should have went straight to her and taken her in his arms and told her how much he loves her instead of trying to stay clear of her. He knew that Tara had felt it too. She kept trying to get him to talk to her, but his guilt prevented him from it. His lack of communication was the reason he lost Tara the first time, it almost happened again, he was eat up with so much guilt he couldn't face her, couldn't look her in the eye, so stayed away from her, then almost lost her to a prison sentence.

Tara was going to go to prison for him and the club too, the club that she so desperately wanted him free from. It was all for him because she wanted a life where their boys would be safe. Tara, was tired of worrying whether Jax was safe. She didn't want to be worrying every minute he wasn't home; worrying if he would be coming home full of bullet holes and worrying that he wouldn't be coming home because he was full of bullets. Only SAMCRO knows about Tara's endless sacrifices. Other charters just think of her as she is Jax's old lady, the doctor. She has stitched up a few and done a few minor surgical procedures on some.

Jax looks out across the full to capacity waiting room he sees cuts, they are from other charters, SAMCRO doesn't wear their cuts all the time like they did before. They don't wear them at all when they are taking care of their business interests. It makes Jax's heart fill with pride, that his old lady is loved by his brothers and for the brotherhood that runs deep within his heart. They are all here together showing their support for him and Tara, sleeping in chairs, hanging out at the hospital when they could be doing something or someone else. But instead they're here and not going to leave this hospital until they receive word that Tara is alright.

Jax has to let the guilt go, especially now. He knows that he can't help but to feel guilty-for god sakes his mother is the one that has caused this damage to Tara, to their baby, to his family. There were times in the past that he sees now, he should have defended Tara. He understands that now, he always believed Gemma was just doing it because she loved him too much. Jax always excused her behavior because he felt sorry for Gemma after losing his brother Tommy. Now he sees through Gemma's bull shit. If Jax had listened to his wife all along maybe this wouldn't have happened. His wife would still be pregnant, at home, getting ready to go to bed for her nap. He'd been worrying Tara has being so anxious and tired; he could tell something was bothering her. He'd asked Chibs if Tara was like that while he was in prison. Chibs told him honestly, "No she was tired but she was running the garage, working at the hospital and taking care of the SONS, all along with a baby on her hip." This is something else Jax needed to apologize for.

Bobby has just returned with sandwiches for everybody along with Abel and Thomas. They are so excited to see their Daddy. Abel wants to go see the baby and his; mommy you can tell that he is scared and worried about her. Abel is a little timid which is not at all like him. He is usually hell on wheels, but this is to be expected considering what happened last night. He feels sorry for the poor little guy and his heart aches because he went through that. No, he shouldn't have had to go through that, it should've never happened.

Jax gets a sandwich and sits down with Abel to eat. Jax franically looks from brother to brother to find his son, finally he sees Thomas on the other side of the room entertaining Jury, he can breathe now, he knows Thomas is safe.

Jax doesn't think that he is hungry but as he starts eating Jax realizes he hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday and he's famished he sits there and eats every bit of his sandwich. The boys split a sandwich and eat it all. It is a miracle they've been mellow this long with the circus atmosphere going on around them. Jax thinks it has something to do with the idea they have to behave if they want to see their little brother. He never told them that but he could almost guarantee that Bobby did to get them to stay quiet.

Meanwhile Chibs fills him in on what's been done so far. He tells Jax, "I went with Juice and Eli. we pulled the security tape from the Women's Center and it clearly shows Gemma's brutal attack on Tara. Tara never saw her coming. Gemma came after her from behind at the top of the stairs and grabbed her trying to throw her down the stairs. Tara tried to get away, out of her reach, she put up a hell of a fight but she didn't stand a chance, she couldn't fight her off. Gemma was wild there wasn't anything Tara could do. We are lucky that Tara is still alive, 'cuz Gemma meant to kill her. You don't need to see the tape, it would be for the best if you didn't brother," Chibs tells Jax honestly.

"I've called in extra security from the Nomads, Fresno and Tacoma."

Jax wants to know, "How many are coming?"

Chibs tells him, "Minimum 3 from each charter patches only told 'em if we would send for prospects if we need more bodies. I talked to Chris he's coming and bringing Leonard, Vin and Frankie. I talked to Lee he is sending Donut, Lorca and Bowie. I don't know who the Nomads are sending. Bobby called Vivica to see if she can come help get things set up she's coming with Chris and the guys. She said to wait and let her see what she thinks, if we need more help or if she thinks she can handle it on her own. She told him that she might be able to get by with just herself if we had a couple of good loyal sweetbutts. We can't expect those boys to come stay here and we not take care of 'em. Chris is sending some young patches to help her. Gemma could see Vivica as a threat, I am half expecting Gemma to stroll in the clubhouse like nothing has happened, trying to take charge."

Chibs continues with the update, "Gemma is still on the run. I have reached out to Alvarez and the Grimm Bastards along with all of the SOA charters, Juice has sent pictures of Gemma along with her description to all of them, they're all are on the lookout. He included a picture and profile of Nero too."

Jax thinks for a second, "After I take the boys to see their baby brother I need someone to take them back to the clubhouse and keep them there? They'll stay with Phil without any problem Bobby too." Jax sincerely tells Chibs, "I don't expect you Fiona to stay with them it's just too much to ask of you." He turns to Tig "I want you to continue guarding Tara, tell Happy to stay with the baby. I'm not leaving the hospital anytime soon so I will be here too."

"The prospects are supposed to be covering the 3 hospital entrances the main, emergency and service entrances," Chibs adds. "The guys all of them have donated blood to build back up the SOA supply."

That pleases Jax, now he understands the importance of having the blood when it's needed. "Good, I'm glad they did. Everyone needs to be on high alert and I want patches at the clubhouse around the clock to watch the boys I volunteer Bobby and Phil with babysitting duties."

Jax smiles down at his oldest boys, "Come on boys let's go see your baby brother." He picks Thomas up and reaches for Abel's hand and heads for the NICU to meet the youngest Teller son. When they arrive Jax lifts Thomas-holds him up to the window and showing him the baby. He tells Thomas, "That is your baby brother now you are a big brother." Thomas whips his head around brows furrowed and looks at Jax quizzically. You can tell by the 'what the fuck' look on his son's face that it's perfectly clear they haven't explained what it means to have a new brother, especially a baby brother. They had forgotten to have "the talk" with Thomas, well, not necessarily forgot just hadn't had a chance to get around to it yet, thinking they had plenty of time to explain things to him. Jax knows the importance of being the baby to Thomas prides himself in being the baby of the family; hell "baby" was his first word. Well more ore like "bah" while pointing to himself. His whole quirky personality is based on being the baby of the family. Jax pulls him close and hugs him tight then kisses him, "You will always be a baby in our hearts Thomas." Jax isn't sure if he understands him or not but it seems to have calmed him down.

Thomas points to himself "Buver" then he leans in front of Jax's face and cupped his little hands on both sides of Jax's cheeks. Thomas, looking Jax in the eyes getting closer and closer staring in his eyes then lays a big wet sloppy kiss on Jax's cheek, "Oh, thank you buddy I needed that." Which Jax realizes, he did. Thomas smiles real big, he starts moving up and down in Jax's arms while pumping his little arms and legs. With his little finger bent he points to the baby then he blows him a kiss and starts laughing and Jax can't help it he has to laugh with him. Then he kisses the top of Thomas's head and out of habit takes in his scent and holds him tight telling him, "I love you buddy," Thomas lays his head on Jax's shoulder hugging his neck tightly looking through the window at his brother, he seems happy there for a little while.

Jax looks at Abel next. Abel is a little reluctant to see the baby, he figures it's because of the state Tara was in when she left in the ambulance. Although Abel wasn't in the room, he was in the back and knew what was going on. He called the ambulance, he saw her before anyone else did. Yeah, he knew definitely what was going on.

Jax sets Thomas down "Stay right here Buddy I am going to show Abel the baby" Thomas holds onto Jax's pant leg; looking up he gives Jax two hard nods. Jax smiles at him then picks his brother up. Abel he seems less frightened. "Abel that is your baby brother." Abel doesn't say anything. He's wide-eyed taking in everything that is happening on the other side of the glass. Then he hugs his daddy tightly and puts his head down on his shoulder. "Are you tired little man?"

Abel nods, "I want to see Mommy." Then Thomas starts jumping up and down holding on to Jax's pant leg yelling, "Mommy, MOMMY up up," holding his arms up. Jax thinks to himself yeah I want Mommy too. He sets Abel down. "I know boys but she is asleep right now and she will be for a long time. She is really is tired, she worked real hard getting your baby brother here and she needs to get her rest so she can hurry up and come home."

That doesn't make them any happier and Jax is wondering what if anything can he do to make Abel feel a little better but he knows that the only thing that can make him happy is Tara. Abel is really quiet but doesn't need to see her yet. Thomas seems to just be getting started. He starts crying. "Mommy... Mommy." His little angel is all wild and his wild man is far from it today. Then Abel tries to squeeze in between Jax's legs to hide so he picks Abel back up. Jax's starting to wonder just how much and exactly what Abel saw last night? He's hoping to all that is mighty, his son didn't see the brutal attack his mother put on Tara. No, his son never needs to see that. If they don't want Jax to see it he sure as hell doesn't want his son to have seen it firsthand. Jax looks at Abel, watching him closely, not really sure what he is looking for other than being shy and a little 'off' he seems fine, Jax guesses. Oh shit what if something is really wrong with him, how do I know? What do I look for? Could he have seen the attack? No, my son couldn't have seen that. No he couldn't have seen that, not my baby. It would kill me to know that Abel witnessed the actual attack. That he saw his mommy falling down the stairs. No... No, he couldn't have seen it. He wouldn't ever recover from that, would he? Abel can't be another innocent destroyed because of his ruthless grandmother. She will pay for this... yes she will. If it is the last thing I do, I promise my boys that she won't be able to hurt them again.

The boys are starting to get cranky he picks Thomas up which calms him down immediately. Now he has a cranky son in each arm clinging to his neck and he wonders how and I going to carry the baby too, I guess I will just have to get one of those wrap around things.

Jax heads on down stairs to hand the boys back over to Bobby so he can take them back to the clubhouse and put to bed. Originally Jax thought the boys need to stay at home in their own beds with their own surrounding but Jax realized that he didn't know when he would be home and it would be foolish for him to do that when they can be a whole lot safer in their apartment in the clubhouse. As long as his murderous mother is lurking about then he will take every precaution to keep his family safe. Something he should've been doing in the first place. If he had then none of this would be happening to his family. He shudders to think what she would have done to Abel if Gemma knew he was there.

Chibs is hanging up his cell as Jax and the boys walk up. Chibs asks him, "Hey, has there been any changes with Tara-luv?"

You can see the worry and strain on Jax's handsome weathered face. "No man, everything is the same so far. There hasn't been any change. Can you take these two and make sure they get back to the clubhouse with Bobby? They need to get back they're tired and not happy. They want their M.O.M.M.Y." Jax spells it out; he isn't about to say it and have them screaming again.

"Sure, whatever you need; it's yours consider it done."

Chibs takes them from a grateful Jax. "Thank you, I will see you later man." Jax hated to see his boys go; they ground him, keep him on the right track, bring him a peacefulness like nothing else does. But they're tired; still he needs them here with him, needs to be able to touch them and hug them but that would be shellfish. They don't need to be here they need to be back in the apartment in their beds where there is some type of normalcy besides there is too much excitement going on around them and they're confused enough.

Chibs pats him on his shoulder noticing the worry on the younger man's face. "No problem brother we'll keep them safe. Do you need anything else?"

"Naw man, I'm okay. Just take care of my boys and don't let anything happen to them." Jax hands Thomas over to Chibs and kisses his and Abel's cheek before setting him down on the floor. "I love you boys. Behave and I will see you tomorrow." The boys ignore him and Chibs slaps him on the back while Jax heads back down the hall. Jax is too worried about their brother and their mother to be offended by their behavior. Chibs heads towards Bobby carrying Thomas while holding on to Abel's hand.

Bobby walks over to Chibs, "Is he alright man?"

Chibs grunts, "As long as Tara and the baby are fine then he is, if they aren't then you better hold on because there will be hell to pay." As he hands Thomas over to Bobby he tells him, "He wants you to take them back to the clubhouse and by all that is sacred keep these two safe."

Bobby looks at him, "Ain't that the truth. We're heading out if you need anything let me know I will see later you back at the clubhouse. Come on boys let's get you two back to the clubhouse, get a snack then go night-nite cuz Uncle Bobby sure could use some sleep himself." Bobby and a prospect head out of the hospital and to the clubhouse where they know the boys will be safe.

When Jax gets to the NICU he sees Dr. Spencer and he tells Jax, "The baby has had a fairly good day there haven't been any changes."

"Thanks, Jax smiles wanly. At least there isn't any bad news."

"How is Tara, Jax?"

"There hasn't been any change. She gets a new MRI in the morning and then we know if she can be moved out of ICU."

"Take care Jax we're all thinking about you. I will find you or have his bodyguard find you if there's any change."

"Thank you." Dr. Spencer goes back to work. Jax knows that there is no malice in the doctor's words and understands why the baby has a bodyguard. Then Jax huffed. Not even a day old and he has to have a bodyguard because his grandmother tried to kill him, he shakes his head. Jaxstill trying to wrap his head around this new reality.

He scrubs up with other parents that are just like him, those with a sick infant. He can't help but wonder, who the parent is, which one is their child and what's wrong with the baby? They know they know how he feels. They are the only other people that can feel his pain, and he can feel theirs; there is a camaraderie amongst them. Jax nods and smiles at them as backs on into the unit to see his son.

He stops by his son he strokes his tiny arm, it is so soft and warm, actually hot with the lights pointed directly at him. They they better be keeping him warm he doesn't have any clothes on. Jax feels a protective surge flow through him. He needs to protect this innocent child, his innocent child from the hard dirty path of Jax's own mother. His own mother, who ripped him from the peaceful protective cocoon where no one should have intruded. He gently strokes his baby's head marveling over his dark hair, the baby is a dark headed Abel that seems weird but here he is right in front of him. Jax is afraid to stroke his skin too much with his rough hands. His skin looks so thin and fragile almost, like it will tear. His baby's arms are so tiny they have to make his hospital bracelet an anklet.

Jax has noticed the baby's little hands; hands that can barely grasp his pinky finger all the way around can barely cover his own mouth. How they are so small compared to his face. Jax compares his own hand to his face and how big it is, it covers his whole face. This perplexes Jax, he can't help but wonder how does that happen, how does your hand grow that much and the rest of your head doesn't? Why?

Then he still doesn't understand why he can't remember if Abel had any of this peach fuzz on him. There is only 2 weeks difference in age. God it seems like that was so long ago. The real question is why am I so hung up on it? Why with all the things I have to worry about am I so worried about his small hands in ratio to his face and some damn fuzzy all over his skin? Why that? There is so much that I have to worry about. I guess because these things don't really matter; they are just mundane things that aren't life threatening. Something I don't have to worry about going wrong. Something that isn't going to kill him.

Able was so much smaller than this baby and he didn't seem so frail either he wasn't on a ventilator he was breathing on his own. This scares Jax. Jax thinks of the first time he saw his baby and he grabbed Jax's finger and looked at him so intensely, he would give anything to see him move around like that again. He understands why they have to keep him sedated while he's on the ventilator. Jax just doesn't like seeing him lying there so still.

Abel is only 3, so much that has happened in that short amount of time since he was born, where has the time gone? He laughs to his self I've had 3 boys in 3 years. I never thought I would be that man, never thought this would be my life. I love my boys, they are my world and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Jax is telling the baby about his mother and brothers. "Abel is the best big brother there is, he will always watch out for you, always protect you. And Thomas he's is so funny and sweet he will always make you laugh, always keep you happy. You couldn't find better big brothers anywhere, you'll see. They love you so much and are waiting for you to get better so you can come home."

He is telling the baby about him and Tara growing up. "We became friends in kindergarten when I decided that I liked the quiet little girl with brown pigtails. Back then little boys did strange things to little girls when they liked them. I hit her, that's the only time I ever have, but I hit her and smiled my toothless grin then took off running and I was lucky that she wasn't afraid to handle her own shit, she didn't need anyone else to handle it for her. She caught up with me and tackled me man could she roll in the dirt." Jax couldn't help but to laugh when remembering back to yesteryears. "From then on out we were best friends for years, I taught your mother how to fight, how to throw a punch; never thought she was going to give me a black eye when I tried to kiss her when we were in the 5th grade. She thought I had lost his mind, nope just my heart. Then when we were twelve your uncle Thomas was real sick; we would do anything for him, anything he asked you to do we did it. He wanted us to kiss, I didn't think your mother was going to do it, but, because it was Thomas she agreed. I finally I got to taste her sweet lips, and I was a goner. I never realized how much I was in love until we were fourteen and I pulled another guy off of her when I saw him trying to kiss her after the junior high homecoming football game. We were out in the parking lot and I busted his nose wide open. Then she kissed me on my cheek for saving her and that was it, I knew it, I was madly in love. But it took a long time, years actually, and a lot of convincing before she would change our status from friends hanging out to boyfriend and girlfriend dating." Smiling he told him all the different things they did and how many times they had been arrested which was usually his fault. He sat there for over two hours talking to his son telling him all about their life.

After Jax left the NICU he went straight to the ICU to check on Tara. He approached a nurse leaving Tara's room and asked if there are any changes? She informed him that Tara is starting to move around a little and is still scheduled for another MRI in the morning. If the results are positive she will be moved out of ICU. After thanking the nurse and opening the door Jax sees Lyla sitting there reading a magazine and detects the smell of his and Tara's favorite lotion. Jax also notices Lyla has brushed Tara's hair and washed her face. He notices she has been changed out of her hospital gown and looking closer and can't help but laugh seeing what Tara is wearing.

"Tig said it would be okay if I stopped by." Lyla looks at Jax from the top of her magazine. Almost hiding her devilish smile she's giving him.

Jax looks at her questioningly, "You changed her clothes? Put our favorite lotion on her?" Jax smiles at her, a little amused but extremely grateful. "How did you get that on her?"

Lyla shrugged, "Well I had some help from the nurse she bathed her and then helped me change her. I went back and washed her face and put lotion on her. Then I combed her hair trying to get all the knots out before they got so bad she would have to have her hair all cut off."

"You pick out what she has on?" Lyla nodded at Jax as he looked back at his wife, she looked much better cleaned up and her hair brushed, she no longer looked like a witch. Of course he will never tell her how bad she looked but it will always be something that he will remember. Lyla dressed her in what he is sure is one of his reaper t-shits and probably a pair of boy shorts. Jax turns looking at Lyla sincerely, "Thank you she looks so much better."

Lyla smiles a real smile one that touches her ears, the first one in the last 24 hours. Suddenly her attitude changed, "I am worried about her Jax. I am so scared for her, hell I am scared for myself, and I'm scared for the kids."

"Yeah, I am too Lyla, I am too. I don't know how crazed Gemma is, how far over the edge of insanity she's fallen because she has definitely toppled over." Jax pauses, "How are you handling all of this Lyla? How is the store doing? Who has been helping? I know you've got to be stretched thin between the store and the Crow's Nest and you're helping with Tara and the boys along with your kids."

"Well so far so good, I have a couple of girls helping me right now. It's not too bad; I just pop in at Leather and Lace, count the money, check the inventory and make sure all the orders are being filled then leave. Then I head over to the Crow's Nest to see what needs to be done at the boutique. Kerrianne is working at the Nest so she is a big help, I don't know what I would do without her she has really stepped up Jax at the boutique and with the kids. The best part is she does it because she wants to, she wants to help. I check the stock at the boutique and make sure everything is running smoothly. Fi has her hands full being the interim head old lady in charge." Jax laughs at the thought. "There are things that Fi has to handle for SAMCRO and she is supervising Bobby and Phil with the kids. Viv is catering to all the visiting charters making sure they are looked after. She has a few sweetbutts helping her with the dorms." Lyla's posture gets sadder, "Even though Tara wasn't at the either store on a daily basis I forgot just how much she really does. I miss her."

"You have Cara Cara girls working at Leather & Lace?"

"Yeah I called in the forces and picked the ones that didn't totally gross Tara out," she said laughing.

"Lyla you are the only one that hasn't grossed her out."

"Jax I'm a woman and I know that Tara's biggest complaint was that you were sleeping with over half of them. That does something to a woman it breaks her confidence, even a strong confident woman like Tara. With your reputation she has a hard row to hoe and is still fighting off the competition."

"I don't know why, she has always been the one that I love and if she hadn't left for college then I wouldn't have slept with any of them and we would have been together still and she wouldn't feel like that."

"Do you really believe that Jax?"

"Yeah of course." Jax doesn't understand why Lyla would question that.

"From what I understand from Ope, you and Tara you had been fighting for months about the club and the crow eaters. You were being an arrogant cocky ass enjoying all the girls' attention. You can say what you want, you and Gemma can keep on blaming Tara, but if she would've stayed here and gone to school close by or not at all, you wouldn't have lasted 6 months. Then she'd be married to someone else now because she would've seen firsthand what you were becoming. For once be honest with yourself Jax. You were tired of Tara, and you wanted your freedom to fuck whoever you wanted but you were a selfish prick. You didn't want her. But you couldn't stand the thought of her being with someone else, you didn't want anyone else touching her you just couldn't let her go, let her be happy."

Jax couldn't believe that sweet, gentle Lyla was breaking his balls. "You are wrong Lyla. I loved Tara dearly and I wanted to be with her. I still do, nothing has changed."

"Yeah Right if you had wanted her so bad then why didn't you go see her? She wasn't dead. You all act like she died or left the country when she was still in the state, just hours away. Like she ratted on the club or hurt the club in some way. You didn't want her Jax but you were too selfish to let her go find someone else. Like all the boys from school that started noticing her after you started paying attention to her. Ope said it was you who turned the light on and guys finally saw what had been hiding in the dark. You didn't want to give her up, but you were bored with her. You had all of those experienced crow eaters trying to get into your pants all the time and if you were so intent on not sleeping with them then why was Tara arrested 2 times for kicking their asses? If you didn't want them then you would have never let it go that far, wouldn't have flirted with them in the first place."

Jax is shocked as he stands there looking at Lyla; he can't figure out what's crawled up her ass and skewed her thinking. "I didn't want anyone else but Tara. The other girls didn't mean anything and we would have worked it out."

"Like you worked it out with Carrie?" Jax didn't know what was worse – talking about this with Lyla or talking about this with Lyla while his wife lay in a hospital bed next to them.

"What you are you talking about Lyla?"

"I know you had been seeing Carrie before you first started dating Tara in high school. I know that you continued seeing Carrie while you were dating Tara. That you would come crawling back to the clubhouse for Carrie to 'service you' after you had been with Tara.

"Lyla I was with Tara's every night when I was in town and if I wasn't at her house then she was with me at the club I never went back to the club after being with Tara. I don't know what you have heard but it is wrong." Lyla is looking at Jax like she's contemplating his words. Jax's mind is spinning. He's trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He has never slept with Carrie. Jax has a sudden thought in his head. "Is Carrie one of the girls helping you at the store?"

"Yeah she is. Why?"

"I was just wondering because she hasn't been around lately. She is one of the ones that hasn't been allowed in the new clubhouse. I didn't know she was even still in Charming."

"Yeah, she's still here in Charming. She tried her hand at some porn but from what I hear she couldn't make a career out of it." Jax is thinking Yeah I could have saved her the trouble and told her that. Then she tried setting up business at the Motel 6 on the way to Lodi and that wasn't lucrative either so she just decided to stay in Charming." Yeah, I could've told her that too. You can't charge for something that you have been giving away for years.

"Is she a full time employee or is she just helping while this is happening to us?"

"She has been helping out for a couple of months. I call her in when I have a lot of mail orders and shipping to deal with. Things always get busy the same time every month, so I call her to help."

"Does she know that Tara owns that shop?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"Nothing. I just wondered. I hadn't seen a lot of those old crow eaters and I just wondered how they bide their time now."

"Well I'm going to head home Jax if you need me then just call me."

"Ok Darlin'. What time do you have to be at work in the morning?"

"I have to go to school conferences and then to the Nest to check on inventory. I won't get to Leather & Lace until around 2 pm. I'm free in the morning so I'll be available if you need me."

"Sure thing. Be careful keep your eyes open, you never know what's going to happen."

"Okay bye."

Jax is wondering what in the fuck is going on. He knows one thing, he'll work going to Leather & Lace in his schedule as soon as he has the opportunity. Until then he needs to keep a close eye on Lyla until he can find out what the whores are up to. He has a sneaking suspicion what's going on and they aren't going to use him and Tara as their pawns. He highly doubts that they know that Tara and he owns the shop, well no one knows that he is part owner, he is a silent partner with Tara. He figures they all think that Lyla owns it and poor Lyla is so sweet and trusting she doesn't see what they're doing. If he didn't have a sick son and a comatose wife then he would be knocking down their doors now and it would not be for sexual favors and it never was; he and Tara both know that.

Jax bends and kisses Tara. He smells her lotion that Lyla put on her and it brings a smile to his eyes. He whispers in her ear, "Hey beautiful I love you, you know that? I went to see our boy and he is doing fine I can't wait until you wake up and can go see him, you are gonna love him just as much as I do." Jax sits on the edge of the bed next to his wife. He sat there holding her hand while telling Tara all about their youngest son, how beautiful he is and, that he looks like a dark haired Abel. Then he apologizes to her that none of the boys look like her. With one final soft, long kiss on her lips he whispers, "Nite love, sweet dreams." Jax pulls a chair up and puts his feet up and settles in to take a little nap. He is completely drained. He needs some sleep so he can keep going.