Chapter Eleven

Happy

Halfway through the ride to Charming, almost midnight, I stop at this hole-in-the-wall diner for food. I also should take this opportunity to do some damage control with TIg. Claiming his daughter is a special kind of fucked, but I can't back out now. I'm too invested.

Dialing the number I breathe the smoke from my cigarette out heavily while waiting for him to answer. Not that I'm scared, don't get it fucked up. I just don't want to fight with my brother over this. It has been a long time since I've wanted a woman the way I want Reese. I'd walk through fire and gladly kill a small town's worth of people over her.

What's up, killa?

" Hey, man... " I say slowly not knowing how to start this shit. " I need to talk to you. "

Don't tell me you can't make it.

" No... It's about Reese. " I throw out lightly.

What about her? Is she okay? Where the hell are you?

Well so much for lightly. " She's fine. I'm about six hours from Charming. "

Well, what do you need to talk to me about Sassi for?

I figure if I give him enough of a heads up he'll calm down by the time I get there. At least enough to not sneak attack me when my back is turned. He's a crazy bastard when angry. Koz knows that very well. " When I get to Charming... I'm giving her my crow. "

I count to two hundred and fifty when he finally decides to react.

... Does she know that?

" Yeah. " I confirm knowing she's going to get it for keeping it from him. He hates being the last to know shit. " Not that I'm on my way now... That's a surprise. I just wanted to be the one to tell you. "

You know the drill, we'll take it to the ring. And of course, it goes without saying... If you hurt her, I'll kill you.

Fuck, that was a little too easy. He's gonna whip my ass...

And I gotta let him.

Sassi

I was surprised this morning to wake up with Happy next to me in bed. I've been sleeping in his bunk at the clubhouse so Bri can have her privacy in the room the prospects set up. I'm glad I made that decision because when I rolled over it was right on top of him scaring the daylights out of me. The feel of his strong arms wrapping themselves around me damn near had me jumping out of my skin.

Damn is he ever warm too? I won't ever have to worry about being cold with him around. He gave me the good news of his transfer going through after flipping me over. Saying each word in between kisses passionate kisses. I never would have imagined such a hardened killer could be this sweet and gentle. And then he told me about the call he made to my Dad...

I've been keeping my distance from my Dad since finding out the plan to end Opie's life. How the hell am I supposed to be able to look him in the face if he goes through with this? Killing another brother, especially with there being no vote... It usually means meeting Mr. Meyhem. I can't help but think this is going to set him up to die. All because they want that ATF bitch off of the club's back. And they both are willing to break the rules set forth in order to do it. He is no longer fit to wear that President patch.

Basically, I'm terrified and torn. My mother died when I was just a baby. I can't lose my Dad, too. Not when I just got him back. On the other side of the coin, if he kills a brother... He knew the rule when he signed up: Kill a brother and meet Mr. Mayhem. Hell, even Jury had that rule before patching over. I just don't know what to do.

Everything in me screamed to tell Happy but I promised Jaycee. How did everything go to shit so quickly? I get I'm one of her best friends, but why did she have to tell me this? I'm just as happy not knowing any of the club's personal business shit. It's the main reason I advised her not to get involved on any basis with the MC. I'd rather be an old lady only knowing what I need to than knowing exactly when shit is coming and not being able to stop it.

So now he's going to be getting in the ring with Happy for my honor while taking a father from his children at the same time. Children that belong to this club. It just doesn't sit well with me at all.

It's all I can think about as I blow up a million blue balloons in Jax's backyard. Abel is coming home today and we're having a huge celebration. Everyone is going to be here. So I'm out here chain-smoking doobies so I can at least relax enough to pass as normal. Aunt Gemma has some really good shit so it's definitely working. It's just my brain that won't stop.

" I think these are enough balloons. Come on and bring them inside. "

I swear that woman knows exactly when you're thinking about her. " Here I come. "

The party is already in full swing when Jax, Wendy, and Abel walk through the door. Everyone crowds around the little guy.

" Is he ready for his first brewskie? " Uncle Clay asks while holding in beer out. Aunt Gemma gives him a playful look of disdain. " It's you and grandpa, huh? "

God I can't stand to hear him speak knowing what I know. I shoot a look at Jaycee and she shakes her head. She's right. Now is not the time to be acting crazy so I pull myself together. God shit was so much more simple when all I had to worry about was restoring old cars, keeping whores in check, and looking pretty in front of a camera.

Eventually, the crowd evens out as Abel is passed around. Everyone wants their chance to hold the newest Teller. After a while, I'm even able to relax with the help of beer and Happy. With everything going on I haven't had the time to fully process that he's officially NOMAD and I'm going to get his crow really soon. It's going to be official and everything in me says that this is the right thing. Even through my own confusion and anger toward my Dad and Uncle.

Piney even becomes the fun grandpa and starts balancing things on Kenny's head making everyone laugh at his antics. It's funny but I can't take my eyes off of Happy. It's his turn to hold Abel and the way he awkwardly has him in his arms makes me laugh.

" Here. " I tell him while positioning his hand under baby boys head.

He stares down at him almost in wonder. " I can't believe Jax has one of these. "

" Me either. It seems like just yesterday I was getting the call that he was getting married to Wendy. " I ponder. " Now they're on the fast track for divorce and we have this little man as a consolation prize. "

He hmms. " He has already been through the ringer... "

" Abel is a fighter, Hap. " I tell him seriously. " He fought to stay alive and he'll continue to fight. It's in his blood. "

Looking back at everyone I see Tara, who just got here, bend down to kiss Jax. She deepens it and he pulls away slightly. Looking over at Wendy I see her look of hurt/regret. She misses her husband and here Tara is flaunting their... Whatever they're calling it right in front of her face. I don't like what happened with Abel any more than anyone else but they are still married. That's fucked up and even he knows it.

Jax gets up and asks to talk to her alone. They both head into the nursery and I hope to god he's setting her straight. " I'll be right back. " I tell Happy who looks terrified to be left alone with Abel.

Going up to Wendy, I sigh and hold out my hand. " Let's go outside for some fresh air. "

She nods and follows me out back. Jaycee perks her head up as we head out and follows along.

" What she just did was fucked up. He's handling it. " I tell Wendy as the three of us look out at the sunset.

She huffs in irritation. " I just don't know what to do. Gemma wants to force us back together because she doesn't like Tara. Tara has been screwing my husband and is in love with him. "

" She always has been. " Jaycee tells her truthfully.

I interject because Tara and Jaycee have always been friends. They even kept in contact after she moved away. " The thing is she never wanted the club. And the MC will always come with being with him. His father started it. You've always understood that. "

" Yeah... " She says slowly. " I just don't know if I want to keep fighting for someone who never really fought for me. It's why I turned to drugs in the first place. "

Damn. I knew Gemma was hard on her but her saying she turned to drugs because Jax wouldn't fight for her...

" We're not telling you what to do. If you want your family fight for it. Because Tara won't give him up without one. " Jaycee tells her straight up. " If you want to be single and co-parent then do that. Your sobriety is what's most important here. "

Shaking my head I say, " just know that if you choose to co-parent, you will have to deal with her. For as long as Gemma will tolerate her at least. "

Wendy can only nod knowing full well she has a decision to make.

" Come on let's go rejoin the party. " I tell them. " Happy is probably losing his mind being alone with Abel. "

Jaycee smiles. " Yeah, and besides, it's my turn to hold my little cousin. "

...

" We're heading out. The kids were with their grandma all day and are tired. " Donna tells me and Jax. " I'm going to put them down and be back to help clean up. "

I nod and follow them out. " Don't forget the dishwasher powder. " I tell her. " Bye Ellie and Kenny. "

" Bye Aunt Sassi! " Ellie calls out. " Mom, ask her about the sleepover. "

Donna laughs and shakes her head. " The girls have been asking for a sleepover maybe we can do it this weekend? The three of us? " She asks me and Jaycee who just stepped out. " Pizza, movies, and candy for the girls... Wine and cake for us? "

" Sounds good. " Jaycee nods. " Gotta keep the tradition alive. "

I almost facepalm at Jaycee's tact. Or lack thereof. Knowing what's coming I don't think Donna will be in the sleepover mood.

" Okay. I'll be back in like twenty minutes. " She promises.

We head back inside and I flop down next to Happy who is off of baby duty. Sticking his head in my neck I look around for my Dad. I do not want this fight to happen tonight. Luckily he's nowhere to be seen. Cuddling into him I notice some of the looks we're both getting. It must be a shock since we haven't exactly told anyone about what's going on between us. Except for Jaycee and Aunt Gemma. And now my Dad.

" Are you okay, baby? " I hear Aunt Gemma ask.

Looking around I see Uncle Clay standing with a look that can only be described as fear on his face. Before anyone can say anything else, he walks away. What the hell?

Not even a minute later we hear gunshots. All the men get into action and rush out to their bikes. No. Not tonight. Why of all nights?! Opie! I try to follow them outside but Happy turns around and puts his finger up to my face.

" You stay here. " He tells me sternly. " Don't go anywhere until I get back. "

I nod as my eyes meet with Chibs' whose shoot up in surprise.

It feels like hours go by but it's really only ten minutes at most when Aunt Gemma gets the call. The look of shock on her face tells me everything I need to know. Opie is dead. Turning to Jaycee and I she gives us a tearful look as she hangs up.

" I don't know how to tell you girls this... " She tries to get out but her voice is shaking. " It's Donna. "

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart seizes, my body lurches and damn near shuts down. How the hell was it Donna?!

" That's not true! We just saw her leave! She was heading to the store to get dishwashing powder. "

" They thought she was Opie. They think it was retaliation. "

Jaycee wraps her arms around me. We both cry on each other's shoulders for what seems like forever. We both see flashes of our friendship with the woman just slain by my father's hand.

Happy

I get back to Jax's and meet Gemma in the front.

" You okay, baby? " She asks.

I nod. Seeing Donna like that was fucked but I've seen much worse.

" Donna, Jaycee, and Reese were all close growing up. " She tells me while putting a hand on my shoulder. " She's a mess. Go on and take her home. Don't worry about Bri. She can crash in Jaycee's old room and she can get her tomorrow. "

Nodding I rush into the house I call out, " Reese "?!

She gets up from he couch and throws herself in my arms. Looking over her shoulder at Jaycee I mouth " thanks " to her. Lifting her into my arms I nod to Chibs. " I'm taking her home. I'll see you all in the morning. "

" Ye got it brotha. Goodnight, Sass. "