JAX

The sound of birds chirping early in the morning is what made me open my eyes. Rays of sunlight were streaking across McKayla’s face and the top of her shoulders. A slight smile was on her lips and it caused me to smile as well. Her head was on my chest and my arm was around her waist. This is how we slept every night.

It’s been almost two months since McKayla rolled into Charming. We haven’t had another episode with the Devil’s since. This makes me both anxious and relieved. As I looked down at the beautiful woman who was sleeping on my chest, and a warm feeling spread throughout my whole body. I think I’m falling in love with her. I brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear and her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at me with a sleepy smile and propped herself up on my chest.

“Hey.” I said with a smile.

“Hi.” She replied.

I leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten with her. I want to feel those soft, luscious lips on mine but every time I try she turns away.

“How did you sleep?” I asked.

I ask her this every morning and every morning I get the same answer.

“Fine. No nightmares.” She said with a smile.

I smiled back at her and gently ran my fingers up her back.

“Good sweetheart.” I say.

Ever since I started sleeping with her, she hasn’t had a nightmare. I could see she was about to say something else when Abel started to cry. McKayla sighed and pushed herself up off of me. I smirked and grabbed her arms and pulled her back down.

“Jax, the baby’s awake.” She whined.

I chuckled pushed my forehead against hers.

“I’ll get him.” I said.

I wrapped my arms around her and rolled her onto her back. I propped myself up on my forearms so I didn’t crush her and we looked at each other. Our faces were nearly two inches apart. I could feel her rapid breaths against my face and all I wanted to do was kiss her. As I leaned down a little closer, Abel started crying louder. I groaned a little and pushed myself up.

“I’ll get him, Jax.” She said.

She hurried up from the bed and into Abel’s bedroom. After a few weeks at the club house, we decided that since I was staying there almost every night anyway she might as well move in with me. When I walked into the nursery, McKayla was holding Abel and walking around the room. She was saying something to him and he was smiling. I leaned in the doorframe and watched her. She looked incredible with him. I could see how much she loved him just by the way she looked at him. By the way that she held him. McKayla noticed me looking at her and she raised her eyebrow.

“What?” She asked.

I smiled softly and crossed my arms.

“You just look amazing with him.” I said with a shrug.

That ever present blush of hers crept across her face. I chuckled at her and she handed Abel to me.

“He’s hungry.” She said with a slight roll of her eyes.

She pushed passed me and went to the bathroom and I heard the shower running. I chuckled again and took Abel out to the kitchen to feed him. I was getting sorta used to this father thing. I could feed Abel and make a pot of coffee at the same time now. As I was finishing my second cup, McKayla walked into the kitchen. She was wearing my favorite jeans of hers. Tight with studs on the ass pockets. Her top was white and long sleeved with three buttons at the top that opened up just enough to see her black lace bra and her cleavage. Gemma bought her a flat iron so she straightened her hair now. Gemma also took her to the salon and they looked like twins now, except that McKayla’s hair is lighter brown where Gemma’s is black.

I handed her a cup of coffee and she kissed the top of Abel’s head.

“Did he eat alright?” She asked me.

She’s also become an expert on him. What he eats, what he doesn’t eat, when he sleeps, how he sleeps, what he likes to sleep with. Everything.

“Yep, the little guy was starving.” I said as I held up the bottle.

She grinned and clapped her hands and played with him. I smiled and opened up the paper. Not too long after, Gemma walked in.

“Morning baby.” She said to me as she kissed my cheek.

“Morning mom.” I said.

She walked over and kissed McKayla then picked Abel up.

“Good morning my little man. Did you eat all of your breakfast?” She asked him.

He made a happy noise and she smiled.

“He ate alright Ma.” I said.

She and McKayla started talking about their plans for the day and my phone started to ring.

“Yeah,” I said.

“The Mayan’s called, we gotta meet with the Irish.” Tig said.

I nodded and we hung up. Gemma eyed me with suspicion and I ignored it.

“I gotta go, I’ll see you two later.” I said as I grabbed my cut from the back of the chair.

“Ride safe.” McKayla called out to me.

I nodded and smiled at her as I walked out the door. I sat down on my bike and buckled my helmet then fired the engine.

McKayla

“Well aren’t you three just a happy little family.” Gemma said to me once Jax was gone.

I rolled my eyes but smiled at her. Jax left his coffee cup on the table like he does every morning. I picked it up and washed it out in the sink.

“It beats sleeping in the club house that’s for sure.” I said.

She chuckled and poured her own cup of coffee.

“So, we have to get some shopping done today. The club is hosting a big party this weekend.” She said.

I nodded and picked up Abel and took him to get dressed. Gemma followed me.

“You on the pill?” She asked me.

I dropped the tiny shirt I was holding. My face flamed and I shook my head.

“What? No? Gemma, we’re not even sleeping together.” I shrieked.

Gemma gave me that motherly stare and I shook my head.

“I swear. I just don’t get nightmares when he’s beside me.” I said in a small voice.

I told Gemma about the first real nightmare I had after the Devil’s tried to break in the club. I didn’t tell her all the details, just that Jax heard me and laid down with me after it.

“So you two decide that it would be best to live together?” She asked as she took over dressing Abel.

I bit my lip and shrugged.

“Well, yeah I guess so.” I said quietly.

“Look, I don’t give a shit if you’re screwing my son baby. All I’m telling you is when you do, make him wrap it.” She said as she pulled the shirt over Abel’s head.

My mouth hung open and Gemma just chuckled.

“You’re not some virgin are you?” She asked me.

I snapped my mouth shut and shook my head.

“No, Gemma I’m not a virgin. But I’m not having sex with Jax.” I said firmly.

She shrugged and wrapped Abel up in a blanket.

“Are you his old lady at least then?” She asked.

Was I? He never really said anything, but we haven’t really talked about it either.

“I don’t know.” I said honestly.

She scoffed and put the baby in his carrier.

“You might as well be. You take care of his kid, you take care of him and you’re living in his house for God’s sake.” She said.

I just shrugged and followed her out of the room.

“You should ask him about it tonight.” She said.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my jacket from the coat rack.

“I’ll get right on that.” I said sarcastically.

Gemma stopped in her tracks and spun around.

“You better. Unless you want to start seeing other women in that bed.” She said with her finger pointed at me.

Jax wouldn’t do that, would he? I mean I guess he could. We’re not together or anything. Hell I won’t even let him kiss me. But would he go so far as to bring another woman home and have sex with her right in the same bed? My mind was swimming as we pulled up to the grocery store. I got out of Gemma’s Cadi and unbuckled Abel’s carrier and we went into the store.

“Okay, here’s a list of shit we need. I’ll get this half and you get this half.” She said as she handed me a ripped piece of paper.

I nodded once and took off in the opposite direction of her.

“Salsa, salsa, salsa.” I said to myself as I hunted through the aisle.

All of a sudden, I could feel someone behind me. Every hair on the back of my neck stood up and slowed down. I turned and pretended to examine some bag of chips and looked out of the corner of my eye. There was a man with a cut on about half way down the aisle. I felt danger. Gemma. I had to get to Gemma. With a streak of braveness, I started walking. I walked right passed the man so I could look at his patch.

“Shit.” I said to myself under my breath.

On the back of the vest was a big red Devil. We haven’t seen a Devil since that one time at the club! We figured they were gone. I guess not. My heart started pounding and I half ran around the store to find Gemma. She was stocking up on plates when I finally found her.

“Gemma, we have to get out of here.” I whispered.

She raised her eyebrow and looked around protectively.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, her voice as low as mine.

“Devil’s.” I said even quieter.

I didn’t want them to know where we were leaving the store. They have to know by now that I found them out and if we can get out of there before they can, we should be safe. Gemma didn’t hesitate. She took Abel’s carrier from the buggy and took my arm.

“Let’s go.” She said.

We hurried out of the store, Gemma leading with the baby and me behind making sure we weren’t followed. She handed me the baby and I quickly got him fastened in the car seat. As I did, I made sure the tires were tampered with. Once I was finished I jumped in the car and we sped off.

“Make sure we’re not being followed!” Gemma shouted.

I whipped my head back and focused on the back window as we raced to the club house. It didn’t seem like we were being followed. When we pulled into the garage, I sighed in relief and relaxed in the seat. The bikes were gone, but I still felt safer at the club. We grabbed Abel and ran into the club and shut the door.

“Are we safe here, Gemma?” I asked her.

She sighed and took a gun from her purse.

“Oh yeah, we’re safe.” She said.

I shook my head in disbelief. Of course she carries a gun.

“Can you shoot?” She asked me.

I shrugged and crossed my arms.

“I guess so, it’s been a while.” I said.

She shook her head and took the clip out of the gun then put it back.

“Tomorrow I’ll take you for some practice. You never know when you’ll have to shoot.” She said to me.

I just nodded and grabbed myself a beer. About an hour had passed when the biked rolled in. Gemma and I jumped to our feet and ran out to meet them. Jax looked at me in confusion and walked to us.

“I thought you two would be out all day?” He asked me.

I shook my head and wrapped my arms around myself. Suddenly I was terrified.

“McKayla what happened?” He asked me seriously.

“The Devil’s. I saw them in the store.” I managed to spit out.

He looked at me seriously then looked at Clay.

“Jax, they were following me.” I added.

He let out a frustrated breath and put his hands on my arms.

“Okay, come inside.” He said as he half dragged me in.

The guys and Gemma followed and the closed the door behind us.

“Op, Sack do a drive by to make sure no ones lurking around.” Clay said.

They nodded and went back out. Jax and Clay sat me and Gemma down at a table and stood beside us.

“What did you see?” Clay asked me.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.

“I was in an aisle and I felt someone behind me. When I looked I saw a man with a cut on pretending to look at something. I knew it couldn’t be good so I went to find Gemma . I made a point to walk passed him so I could see his patch and it was the Devil that I saw the night they tried to break in.” I said.

Jax clenched his fists and tensed his jaw. Clay groaned and looked at Gemma.

“Did you see him?” He asked her.

She shook her head and looked at Abel.

“No I didn’t. But I didn’t want to go looking for him either. When she told me what she saw we got the hell out of there.” She said.

He nodded and kissed Gemma. Opie and Kip came back and Clay led the guys into Church.

“Do you think he believes me, Gemma?” I asked her once they shut the doors.

She looked up at me for a moment before nodding.

“I know he does baby. And I think it scares him.” She said.

She was talking about Jax. I was talking about Clay. I wondered if he believed me because of the way he asked Gemma if she saw the man as if I could’ve been mistaken. I know what I saw. It was a Devil. He was big, about 6’3 with a long beard and covered in tattoos. I also saw a knife similar to the one Jax wears on his hip attached to his belt.

Abel started to fuss and I remembered his bag in the car. I stood up and went out to the car. When I reached it, I took a deep breath and leaned against it.

“It’s not him. It’s a motorcycle club with a grudge against the Sons. That’s all. I’m safe.” I said to myself.

Unless of course, he hired them. NO! I couldn’t think like that. I grabbed the bag and half ran back in the club. Gemma took the bag from me and started to feed him.

Not long after, the guys came back out. Jax took my hands and led me to the bar.

“We’re thinking maybe it was coincidence that you ran into him. He didn’t try to follow you and he didn’t try anything in the store.” He said softly.

I bit my lip and looked away from him.

“Hey, I promise you’re safe. Okay?” He said.

I just nodded and he gently put his hands on my face. I looked up at him and smiled softly.

“Do you want me to take you home?” He asked me.

I sighed and shook my head.

“No, I think me and Gemma got to finish shopping.” I said.

She nodded and stood up.

“I called Neeta, she’ll be waiting for us at the house to drop him off.” She said.

I nodded and stood on my tip toes to give Jax a kiss on the cheek.

“We’ll be alright.” I said to him.

I tried to be convincing, but I could tell he didn’t buy it. He sighed and pressed his lips on my forehead.

“I know. Call if you need something alright?” He said.

I nodded and Gemma and I took off again. This time we managed to get everything we needed without another Devil sighting. When we got back to the club house, there were a lot more bikes there than usual. Gemma took a deep breath and then lit a cigarette.

“It’s party time.” She said sarcastically.

I gave her a sideways glace and she just opened the car door.

“What, you don’t like club parties?” I asked her.

She took and arm full of bags and started walking.

“Sure I do. I just hate the Crow Eaters they bring.” She said.

I watched her walk into the club and smiled to myself.

“So even the Queen gets jealous.” I said to myself.

The music was so loud that I couldn’t even hear myself think. All around I could see girls and guys and liquor. It was still daylight out, but the club looked like a darkened strip joint. Gemma was behind the bar talking to some older guy and Jax was talking to a group of bikers. I took a deep breath and went to Gemma. She smiled at me and handed me a beer.

“Enjoy your first party, baby.” She said with a wink.

I took a long pull from my beer and noticed Tig looking at me. I smiled at him and walked over.

He had a bottle of Jack in his hand and he was shooting pool.

“Wanna play?” He asked me.

I smiled at him and leaned against the table.

“What are the stakes?” I asked.

Tig chuckled and smirked.

“If I win, you have to kiss me.” He said quietly.

I threw my head back and laughed.

“Alright, and if I win?” I asked.

He looked me in the eyes for a second before handing me a stick.

“I’ll leave you alone.” He said with a shrug.

I nodded and held out my hand.

“Deal.” I said.

He put his hand in mine and racked the balls.

“You break.” He said to me.

I smirked and leaned down and lined up my shot. Tig was in trouble. He didn’t know I used to hustle pool for extra cash. This was going to be fun.