Chapter 9
Charlotte pulled up and parked in Jax's driveway she grabbed one of the baby pictures and her key to his house. When she walked in, she could smell the hours Gemma had spent cleaning. She went to the fridge and placed the baby picture under a magnet. Her bright smile faded when she turned her head and saw Wendy walking into the kitchen. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Gemma said it was fine. Jesus Charlotte you're pregnant!"
"Shouldn't you be in rehab, or did you get kicked out for using?" Charlotte asked avoiding Wendy's mention of her pregnancy.
"I'm just here until I get into a sober house. Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"
"Because it's none of your business."
"Christ Charlotte it's Jax's?" Wendy asked pointing to the baby picture on the fridge.
"That's none of your business either."
"It is when we're still married, and our baby is coming home."
"Oh, now you give a shit, I forgot sober Wendy has a moral compass. What do you think is going to happen Wendy? You're just going to come back be a mom to Abel and a wife to Jax after all the shit you've done. Jax isn't going to ever take you back."
"And what do you think is going to happen Charlotte? You and Jax going to be together and you're Abel's Mom. I'm not going to let that happen."
"You don't have any choice in what Jax does or who raises Abel you gave up that right when you chose drugs over your son. You should leave Wendy, you have no right being here, you haven't spent the last months taking care of him. Watching over him worrying about him, his future. He doesn't need you. He has three women that have stepped up and will continue to be here for him."
"Three women?"
"Oh, Gemma didn't tell you, Jax is with Tara she's part of his life again and is a huge part of Abel's life, mine too. Came with me to my ultrasound she's family now Wendy and you're not." Before Wendy could respond Charlotte turned to walk out of the house. "Just leave Wendy no one wants you here." Satisfied with the sting that was left on Wendy's face she slammed the door behind her.
Charlotte drove straight to TM her hands gripping the steering wheel in anger. When she got to TM she quickly parked, getting out of her car slamming the door. Stomping towards the open office.
Jax was outside the club house and saw Charlotte pull up and go into the office.
"Damn she looks pissed." Opie commented as Jax was already walking towards TMs office.
"Yep, this is my life, bunch of crazy women."
"You did it to yourself." Opie shouted back giving a chuckle.
Charlotte slammed the door behind her hard and yelled when Gemma looked up "Wendy! Gemma, seriously, you let her stay at Jax's? And going to let her be here for Abel's homecoming! What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"I just thought she could use a little help, keep her clean."
"Why do you care you tried to get her to off herself in the hospital."
Gemma stood up coming around the desk to face Charlotte. "She's Abel's mother there's nothing we can do about that she's going to want to be in his life when she's got some time under her."
Charlotte shook her finger at Gemma "No, that's not it. You're still trying to push Tara out and because I wouldn't play your game, you're trying to manipulate Wendy too."
Gemma creased her brow jaw set but before she could respond Jax walked in "Problem?" He asked.
"She's letting Wendy stay at your house!" Charlotte spoke first.
"I know she told me." Jax sighed out.
"And you're okay with this? Jax what she's done she doesn't deserve to be here right now."
"Charlotte, look I know that you want to punish her for everything she's done to you in the past. But this isn't about punishment for me, it's just giving her a place for a couple of days then she's off to sober living. Maybe seeing Abel will help keep her clean."
"I don't care about punishing her she's a danger to Abel. It's not about our history! And if you want me in your life and Abel's life that means letting me in on these things. You two don't get to decide things for him if you want me to help raise him. You should have told me."
"I didn't get the chance to tell you, Mom just told me about it. She deserves a fresh start at least."
"Fuck you Jax, fuck the both of you. I can't control what you do with Abel, but she'll never be around my baby ever." Charlotte pointed her finger at them both before storming out of the office slamming the door behind her.
"Let me talk to her Jax I'll get Charlotte calmed down."
"No, Mom just give her some space."
Charlotte stood in Jax's living room watching Jax arrive home with Abel, she stepped back and went into the kitchen to compose herself feeling out of place with the large crowd. When Gemma came in, she didn't acknowledge the woman and didn't turn to face her when she spoke. "Charlotte, I don't want to fight with you sweetheart."
Charlotte remained with her hands in the sink, her eyes focused on the dishes. "I don't want to fight with you either, but I will keep that baby safe."
"And what about Jax what about keeping him safe."
Charlotte finally turned towards Gemma wiping her hands on a dish towel "Jax is an adult, Abel's needs trump his right now. And if you think pushing him towards Wendy isn't going to end up with him hurt, you're wrong. Do you not remember the last couple of years with them."
"But Tara's not meant for this life she never has been. Wendy can handle it better."
"Wendy handles it by getting high, she'll relapse you know that. Tara's better for Abel and for Jax. It's what Jax wants."
"How is you pushing him to be with Tara any different than me pushing him to be with Wendy? Sweetheart we're both pushing him to what we think is right."
"How about we both just not push anything, let him make that choice. And I wasn't pushing him to be with Tara, I just let him know being with Tara wasn't a bad thing. No more meddling me or you."
"Agreed for now." Gemma said with a smile hugging Charlotte. "I love you Charlotte, but I'll do what I need to keep Jax safe he's my baby doesn't matter if he's an adult or not. You'll get it when you have your baby."
Charlotte quietly snuck out of the party, giving a small wave to Tara and giving Abel a kiss. Her and Jax had kept their distance from each other not speaking just a friendly nod of acknowledgment. She'd tried to reach out to him after hearing the news about Donna, but her calls had gone unanswered. She had watched Abel the day before her nightshift, but it was Gemma who had relieved her. The sun was just coming up as Charlotte pulled into her driveway seeing the familiar bike parked at the curb, she got out of her car going to the door finding him sitting on the steps to her front door smoking.
"Hey." She said, "Why didn't you just go inside and wait?"
He took a drag off his cigarette before responding as she took a seat next to him. "Felt like watching the sun come up."
"That's why I love night shifts get to watch a whole new day begin. The rest of the world still sleeping it's like you have the world all to yourself."
"You still mad at me?"
"No, I wasn't mad just upset. I called you."
"I know, sorry just needed a minute Donna, and shit."
"I went by Opie's left some boring casserole with Mary."
"Thank you."
"You want to talk about it?" she asked slightly nudging him in the side.
"No judgment?" he asked, looking her in the eyes.
Charlotte sighed "Always."
"I slept with Wendy."
"Jesus, maybe we should change that no drama simple life pact we have. Why?"
"It was right after Donna; I don't know, wanted something familiar that I wouldn't have to deal with the next day."
"What about Tara?"
"We got into fight after you left haven't seen her since. Seeing Opie with Donna scared me. I don't want to bring shit like that to her door or yours."
"Kinda unavoidable now. Are you saying Donna's death was club related."
"She was driving Opie's truck. Hit was obviously meant for him."
"Club know who?"
"No, I got some theories." He said lighting another cigarette.
"You want to share?"
"Not yet, Charlotte, I can't lose you or Tara like that."
Charlotte grabbed his face in her hands "You can't live life like that's going to happen Jax. Go see Tara apologize for being an ass." she said, releasing his face.
"What about Wendy?"
"Well don't sleep with her again, but you have to be honest with Tara maybe she'll throw you out maybe she won't, but you can't have a relationship with her with lies."