Chapter 24

Tara leant against the door frame. It was early, the digital clock on the bedside table telling her it was 4am. Sleep had evaded her but that was no surprise given her conversations the day before.

The explosion had rid her of any doubt that she had about getting the hell out of Charming, She wanted to do this her way on her time running but she knew now she had move quicker.

While at the hospital yesterday Tara had received a surprised visit from District Attorney Patterson. Patterson had put an offer on the table. Immunity for proof of gun running. The deal would clear Tara of everything, she would be protected and her boys would be free but Jax, the club they would all take the fall for the school shooting.

That was not her plan. She loved Jax. He was her first love and the man she came running back to when she was in trouble and the man who didn't hesitate to protect her. They had been in love from 16 but things started to change when he took the gavel, Jax had changed, Gemma had changed, Clay and Nicole had changed.

Jax was doing his best to fight against it. He sounded so pleased on how the meeting had gone yesterday and how everyone had agreed with getting out of guns but it was to late. Tara had witnessed over many years how the club destroyed everything. The club had even ruined her career, and it had destroyed her relationship and if she was honest she would stay but that would only be if there was no Abel or Thomas. Being a mother had changed her, changed her perspective and although she loved Jax with everything her boys came first no matter what.

Jax shifted in the bed rolling onto his back. He looked so peaceful for once. She hadn't seen that in him for a very long time.

It could have been so different for them. But his family, his brotherhood would never allow them to be what Tara wanted them to be.

"You ok?" Happy asked coming up behind her, his arms wrapping around her. She nodded against his chest.

"Can't believe we were all in there." Nicole spoke as she looked at the clubhouse.

"Yeah." Happy agreed. They all could have been wiped out. But they had made it out and now they needed to protect themselves from the Irish whatever that looked like. All Happy knew was that he would be here for it and he would protect his girl no matter what.

"Come on." Happy tried to usher her in but Nicole stopped him quickly turning around to face him. He watched her look down at her hand that was now resting on his chest. The ring.

"I think given everything maybe we should keep this quiet."

"No." Happy snapped. He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her ring. "I got you that ring for a reason and it wasn't to hide."

Nicole smiled. She really did love this man. "Ok." She lent onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.

With her feet back on the ground Nicole spun back around to look at the clubhouse, she stood frozen until she felt a firm hand on the small of her back guiding her to take the first steps.

Happy knew this was difficult for her. Nicole, Jax, Opie they all grew up here, this clubhouse was their home. Nicole probably spent more hours here than she had at her actual home, apart from recent years when she was a kid as a visiting charter member he could barely remember a time that she was hanging about the clubhouse, whether that was shooting ]pool, busying herself under the hood of a car, or making dinner with Gemma. Nicole was always here.

As she started to walk towards the clubhouse Nicole reached out for his hand which he accepted. They both cautiously walked further inside. Happy keeping a firm grip of her hand as they started to step over the un-even ground. The place was unrecognisable and it still felt hot inside. Black ash covered everywhere and he felt Nicole squeeze his hand tighter.

As they approached what was the Chapel, they saw Tig and Chibs lifting the table. The reaper was still intact and it was a good sight to see in all this destruction. Nicole looked back at Happy and gave him a tight lipped smile.

Happy gave dropped a kiss ontop on her head before letting go off her hand and heading over to his brothers. She watched as they embraced each other in hugs. It was good to see that love.

"Hey." Nicole's attention was drawn down the hall. It was Jax and when she looked at him she felt her heart ache a little. He looked like she felt. A little broken.

"Hey" Nicole spoke softly as she carefully started to walk towards him.

As Jax took pull on his cigarette he took her in. She was wearing Jeans and tight fitting black top. Her growing bump visible to everyone. He smiled to himself, he wasn't sure he would ever get used to seeing his baby cousin pregnant, but it did make him excited for himself. Tara was not as far along as Nicole, but she was pregnant and Jax was sure this time it was going to be a girl. He'd like a girl.

As Nicole continued towards Jax she stumbled on some rubble. She was fine and quickly steadied herself but she also felt a hand on her arm, she smiled at Jax. She was nearly 6months pregnant and now that everyone knew it was going to be a long 3 months, everyone being overprotective, but she had to admit she kind of liked it. Especially from Jax, their relationship had really gone through the motions the last 18months.

"Im ok." She spoke with a smile which Jax returned. "What's this?" Nicole asked as she pulled away and looked down at what it was that Jax had been trying to uncover before he saw her.

"JT's bike."

"Is it ok?"

"Don't know." Jax answered before putting his cigarette back into his mouth as he bent down to continue removing the mess that was covering the treasured possession.

As the bike became more clear Jax went to reach for it and instinctively so did Nicole. Bending down she grabbed the handle bar of the bike ready to lift it up but as soon as she tried to lift she felt a hand wrap around her wrist stopping her. She looked up at Jax. He used his free hand to take the cigarette from his mouth and then followed his eyeline.

"What's this?" He asked with a serious tone that made Nicole just want to pull her hand away.

"Its.. We're...um.. getting married, I guess?" Nicole answered, although she was a little unsure herself on the marriage part.

"He didn't ask permission." Jax spoke firmly, the smile from his face gone.

"Jay...I'm sorry... Look Hap never..." Nicole stopped when she saw the smile on Jax's face. He was teasing her. "Asshole." She spoke with a smirk as she lightly pushed him.

"HAP..." Jax shouted although his eyes never left hers. "Come and help me before your pregnant fiancée tries to lift this bike on her own."

"Seriously?" She asked cocking her brow.

Nicole could hear the commotion behind her, Chibs and Tig clearly hearing Jax's words. Nicole looked over her shoulder when she watched Jax's eyes leave hers.

Tig, Chibs and Happy spilled out from the chapel, Chibs and Tig surrounding Happy with playful hugs and shoves. She heard the words 'Killah's getting hitched' She couldn't help but smile.

The three of them made their way over to her and Nicole was quickly embraced in hugs and words of congratulations. But Nicole's attention was drawn to Jax and Happy over her shoulder. Jax looked serious but then there was exchange of hands and a hug exchanged. Nicole realised a breath she didn't realise that she was holding.

"So when are you gettin' hitched." Tigs asked Nicole.

Nicole looked at Happy. "As soon as we can." She spoke with a smile before Happy lent forward and kissed her. They broke apart with all the whistles and cat calls.

"Congratulations love." Nicole accepted the hug from Chibs quickly followed by a hug and kiss from Tig. Nicole turned back to Jax. His was smiling but Nicole could sense there was something underlying, but as he pulled her into a hug Nicole didn't object.

"Love you." Jax whispered.

"Love you too." Nicole returned as she closed her eyes to stop the tears. The hug lasted longer than the others and Nicole was enjoying it but Jax pulled away.

"So Hap give me a hand with this will ya,"

"You can't be lifting shift like this doll."

"I was just..." Nicole started to answer Tig but she was cut off.

"Move." Happy smirked at her before offering Nicole a hand which she took. He pulled her to close to his body. "Really?" He whispered.

"Im not glass im just pregnant." She whispered back before looking around everyone. "I'm just pregnant guys. Im ok. So don't treat me any differently ok."

"You need to take it easy." Happy reasoned.

"Doctors orders?"

"Worse. Mine." Happy kissed quickly her before turning his attention back to Jax.

"Come guys. I'm not glass."

"I'm listening to Hap." Tig joked as he to went to went to help with the bike.

"Sorry sweetheart." Chibs also went to help.

"Pusiess." Nicole mocked with a laugh. As she relented and stepped back she smiled to herself as she watched them all work together. She loved her family.

Tara watched as her blood dripped into the blood bag. Ever since she had come up with her escape plan she had quietly and carefully been doing this but today she needed to take more because today was going to be the day. She had to make this move. So after saying goodbye to Jax this morning Tara came straight to the hospital. She had called both Margaret and Lowen to meet her.

There was a knock on the door followed by a hello. It was Margaret.

"Come in." Tara spoke as she removed the needle from her arm grabbing a swab to stop the bleeding.

"Do you need a hand?" Margaret asked as she watched Tara place a swab on her arm.

"Im good, thank you. Are those the files?" Tara asked looking at folder in her hands.

"Yes. This should be everything." Margaret spoke handing the folder to Tara. "You ok?"

Tara looked up at the older woman, the woman who can become a friend , a confidant. Margaret had become the one person she really trusted to help her.

"I'm ok, it's just... with the trial being pushed up it means that I have to move froward move quicker. I know that this will add more pressure to you."

"Don't worry about that."

Tara got to her feet and reached for Margaret's hand. "I want to thank you, I've asked for a lot of things and some I had no right to ask of you."

"Don't thank me. You are doing the right thing here and I want to help. Just promise me you wont lose focus on the reasons that you are doing this."

"I won't, I cant."

Margaret gave her a tight lipped as she squeezed her hand. Many words being unspoken between the two.

They were disturbed by a second knock on the the office door. Another familiar voice, As the door opened this time it revealed Ali Lowen. The second person Tara had called today.

"Margaret. Tara." Lowen greeted as she entered the room and closed the door behind her. "I have the paperwork for you to sign." Lowen spoke openly knowing that she could talk in fornt of Margaret.

Tara nodded and motioned for them both to take a seat back at the desk. Lowen started getting the papers out of her briefcase.

Taking a seat Lowen started to flip between the paperwork. She found the page she was looking for and she pointed to the clause in the paperwork. "This would deny Gemma any kind of custody. Or unsupervised visitation."

"Can she fight this?" Tara asked knowing what Gemma was like.

"She can try. Some of it's creative language." Lowen admitted. "But most is based on legal precedent. If the parents deem a grandparent unfit they can petition for their exclusion from the child's upbringing."

Tara added. "And Nicole?."

Lowen shifted in her seat. She understood Tara's motive but she had to admit she had always like Nicole but the fact that she was involved with a Son meant that she would probably end up more like Gemma than anyone would like.

"She's family but a cousin to Jax, which makes her second cousin to the boys. Unless named as a next of kin, in this situation or as a guardian then she has no rights."

"So she could fight this?"

"They all could fight this Gemma included, but with these papers signed by both parents it would make that battle a lot harder."

Tara nodded. "Where do I sign." Lowen reached for the contract and flipped forward a few pages before placing it back in front of Tara. Tara grabbed the pen and signed where was required.

"This has no weight without the signatures of both parents." Lowen countered.

"I know."

"You think Jax will sign this?" Lowen was unsure this was going to happen but she didn't know Tara's whole plan. No yet anyway.

"I know he will." Tara replied coolly.

Nicole wiped down the last table, when she was getting nowhere at the Clubhouse because no one would let her touch or walk anywhere alone Nicole finally lost it.

Yes she was pregnant, yes there had been a scare after the explosion an she loved their protectiveness but she really just wanted to help, she was starting to feel like a spare part and that didn't sit right with her.

So she had finally talked them into letting her start tidying up at 'Scoops & Sweets' as long as she promised no heavy lifting.

Scoops and Sweets had closed down a few years ago but but Nicole remembered spending many a Saturday in here with John, Gemma and Jax. She also remembered Jax bringing her a lot trying to 'cheer her up' whenever she was down. This place held many memories from her childhood and until stepping back inside she hadn't even thought about it but now this felt like the best place for their temporary home while they rebuilt.

Nicole was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the chime above the door ring. She wasn't surprised to see Gemma but Nicole was surprised to see the person following behind her aunt.

"Hey Baby." Gemma spoke drawing Nicole's attention away from the stranger. "It looks good, where did you get all these." Gemma asked pointing to all the sweets.

"The supermarket. Was thinking while we're here we might as well open. Jay and I loved this place when we were kids." Nicole's hand subconsciously went to her stomach. "Thought it would be nice. I've ordered some ice cream too should be here day after tomorrow."

"You looking to open business?"

"Well we can't exactly fix cars at the moment, maybe we can sell some sweets and ice cream."

"You run this by Jackson?" Gemma asked taking a seat at one of the tables Nicole had just cleaned.

"You run this by Jax." Nicole countered pointing to the stranger behind her. Nicole had clocked the bruise on the strangers cheek. She had tried to hide but Nicole knew the signs. Gemma was bringing her here for a reason.

Gemma smirked at her niece. You couldn't get anything past her. "This is Venus." Gemma looked over her shoulder. "Venus this is my niece Nicole."

Nicole nodded. "Nice to meet you." Nicole extended out her hand.

"Venus."

"What happened there?" Nicole pointed with her free hand to the bruise. Venus let go of her hand and quickly tried to cover the marks on her face.

"Well it's quite a story to tell." Venus spoke sheepishly.

"It always is." Nicole sighed before looking to Gemma. She didn't know what this was about but the club didn't this.

"Are the boys here?" Gemma asked ignoring the questioning look from her niece.

"They were."

For the last 3 hours they had all been coming and going. Nicole and Rat had worked downstairs, Nicole was sure that he was only there to make sure she didn't do anything she shouldn't. The rest had been bringing anything they could from the clubhouse to the upstairs. The most special being the table. They had all taken a minute when it was placed in the middle of the room. The chairs may not have matched but the sentiment of what that table meant, the reaper carved out in the middle, that was all they needed. But after that moment they all went straight back into business. Nicole wasn't privy but she noticed the changes on the cuts as they walked down. Today had been a good day for Samcro and Nicole was worried what Gemma was bringing with this Venus woman.

"They came here, dropped a few bits off, did a vote but then um..." Nicole spared a glance to Venus before looking back at Gemma, taking a breath. "Then they had some business to take care of."

"I really need to speak to Jackson." Nicole looked back to Venus

"Gem..."

"We'll wait." Gemma turned from her niece and turned in her seat away from Nicole.. Venus who looked slightly uncomfortable followed Gemmas lead.

Nicole sighed to herself before going back to work. Arguing with Gemma right now would get her nowhere.

Tig was the first to dismount his bike and as he walked towards the shop he saw her. Venus. She smiled at him, a smile he returned. She followed with a wave which again Tig returned. It had been a long time she he had seen Venus, the first time she had helped them with some blackmail. Tig had been intrigued and now seeing her again that interest was aroused again. Tig's attention was drawn back to his brothers when he heard Jax raise his voice frustratingly.

"Why?"

"She came to Diosa looking for Nero. Family problem she needs help with."

"Then let her family deal with it."

"Nero is inside because of us Jax! I went to see him today. He wants us to help her. We owe him this." Gemma snapped back.

"Mom, we are on everyone's radar right now. We've got to keep the circle closed." He watched the anger on his mothers face soften as she stepped closer to him.

"She's like family to Nero and...and Nero's family to me. Just hear her out. Please."

Jax let out a sigh. How could he argue you with that. The guilt of what was happening with Nero hit him everyday.

He looked round at his brothers and gave a nod. Jax reluctantly walked inside the shop.

As he entered his eyes met Nicole's she was talking to Venus but as their eyes locked and with a slight nod of his head Nicole excused herself and went to him. Jax watched as she smiled at his brothers as she passed which they all returned.

"Hey," She spoke softly as she came to stand in front of him.

"You look tired, you ok?" Nicole smiled at the concern.

"I'm fine." Jax nodded but he knew it was a lie.

Jax looked around. Since they had left Nicole had really done a lot to the place. He noticed that the counter was all clean and the shelves behind now displayed tubs of sweets. "Place looks good." Nicole looked around the place herself.

"Got some ice-cream and some equipment coming in a couple of days." She spoke cautiously as she looked back at Jax.

"You opening this place for business?"

"Well the rebuild is going to take some time. Plus bikers selling ice cream might restore a little faith of us back into this town."

Jax smirked. "Yeah, maybe."

"We don't have to open. I'm sure you guys will eat your way through the profits anyway."

"Maybe your right." He paused before he continued. He remembered this place. He remembered buying her ice cream here after her mom passed and when her dad passed. There were memories in this place which is why he chose it. It reminded him of family, happier times. "So when do we open?"

Nicole couldn't suppress the smile and she was happy that Jax returned it. "Thank you." She lent onto her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Why is this so important to you?"

"We need a home-base Jay."

"Yeah." He couldn't disagree with that. "I think you've done enough today. You should head home."

"Yeah." Now that she had stopped she couldn't deny that she was feeling it. "Where's Hap?"

"Didn't he message you?"

"I haven't checked my phone..." Jax didn't miss the change in her expression or the glance over her shoulder to where he imagined her cell was. As she started to move Jax stopped her grabbing her upper arm.

"He's fine." He quickly reassured her sensing her panic. "We're delivering Connor back to the kings. Hap may be gone for a couple days. Juice is with him."

"Jesus Jay." He watched her hand go to her stomach subconsciously. "I don't trust Juice." Nicole admitted for the first time. But after the scare last night this was not the man she wanted to be by Haps side.

"I'm trusting him." Jax spoke firmly.

Nicole knew that her cousin was now speaking as a leader of Samcro rather than her cousin.

"Well if he breaks that trust and Hap kills him don't you make that shit blow back on Hap." Jax smirked but he knew that his cousin wasn't joking and it may be a possibility but out of the two Happy was the loyalist person he knew to the club.

"Agreed."

Nicole sighed and glanced over her shoulder before looking back at Jax. "You should probably deal with that shit over there."

"Yeah I believe I should." Jax pushed away from the counter but before he reached them he turned back to Nicole. "Hey do me favour, check in in Tara today if you could."

Nicole sighed for a second time. It wasn't really what she wanted to do but Tara had waited outside her hospital room most of the night. So she nodded.

"She'll be at the hospital."

"I've got a little bit to do here but I'll go and see her."

"Thank you."