Year One: Done.

Alex has decided to go home for a month while she's done for the summer. She's surprising everyone and she cannot wait to see Jax and their son for the first time in months.

She smiles to herself as she parks at the clubhouse, hoping out of her truck to see Opie first. She startles the tough biker when she throws her arms around him from behind. He jumps then laughs, hugging her tightly. "When the fuck did you get back?"

"Just now! I'm back for a couple weeks for the summer." Alex beams back, leaning against the fence that the guys park their bikes in front of. "How's Donna and your kids?" She looks down at his hands, her face dropping. "You- y'all got married? When?"

"Chill, Alex. We eloped a few months ago so I could get on her insurance plan. We're having the whole fuckin wedding later." Opie says, his arm around her shoulders.

"That's amazing. I'm so happy for y'all." She grins. "Where's Jax?"

"Oakland. Him and Chibs have been there for the past couple days but they'll be back tonight." Ope takes a cigarette out of his pack and offers one to the now light brunette girl next to him. She takes one and lights up, exhaling a big cloud of smoke. "Your hair looks nice."

"You really think so? The girl at the salon talked me into it and I've been havin mixed emotions 'bout it since."

"Yeah, I almost didn't recognize you." He says as he tugs on a piece. "It's pretty."

"Thanks." The two spend a couple more minutes talking and catching up before Alex decides to head over to the Snake Pit.

The bell jingles as she pushes the heavy door open. Alex greets her regulars as she makes her way to the counter, sitting on a bar stool. "A Boulevardier, if you will ma'am." She tells Melinda. The woman turns and pops her hand on her hip as she looks over her old co worker.

"Well I'll be." She smiles, making her order. "Sig's here with your boy and Marge."

Alex gives her a wink as she hops off the seat and heads to the small office. She knocks on the door. "Yeah?" Sig answers, watching his wife play with their grandson's blonde curls.

"Hey y'all." She says, opening the door a crack. "Oh my- is that my Anthony?" Tears form in her throat. "He's gotten so big." Alex crouches down to her son and cups his chubby cheeks. "Thanks for lookin after him." She tells the older couple. "I hope he was good for y'all."

"He's definitely going to be a trouble maker when he's older." Sig laughs. "Definitely his parents' son."

"Oh no." Alex smiles, running her fingers through the soft curls on her boys head. "Thank you so much for watching him. Thank you."

"You're welcome, baby." Marge grins, watching the woman interact with her son. "How long are you back?"

"Couple weeks. It's the summer break right now so I'm outta classes." Alex picks her son up and bounces him on her hip. "I should get goin'. Jax is gonna be home soon."

"Of course, baby. It's nice to see you again."

"Nice to be back." She waves her parents goodbye and heads out to her truck to drive home.

~

Alexandrea huffs as she tugs on the handle of the front door. She forgot her fucking key in Huntsville. She heads to the back door, knowing there's a spare for that door. She unlocks it then she's inside. Alex sits her son in his chair at the counter as she rummages around in the fridge. She grabs a couple things to ground beef from the meat drawer, drops the slabs into a hot skillet then leans over to turn the radio on. She cooks the meat, tosses a couple spices in then sets it to the side. Alex reaches back into the fridge to get her babbling son some applesauce.

Jax sighs heavily to himself as he climbs off his bike. He runs his hand through his long hair then his bushy beard. He lights a cigarette before unlocking the door. Once inside, he kicks his sneakers off, tosses his cut onto the couch then strips his clothes off on his way to the bathroom to take a hot shower.

Alex peeks around the corner of the bedroom and watches the bathroom door close. She's just put Anthony in his bed and he's already fast asleep. She decides to kick her jeans off, her shirt following, then joins her fiancé in the shower.

She tip toes in behind him, her hands creeping to his hips. Jax jumps and stumbles back against the wall, his eyes wide before he realizes who it is. "Holy shit." He gasps, wrapping his muscular arms around the girl in a bone crushing hug. She lets out a sound as her face is smushed against his chest. Jax has tears in his eyes as he presses his lips against the top of her head. "You're back!?"

"Just for a couple weeks." She laughs back, prying his arms off of her so she can take a proper breath in. Jax can't help the giggle that comes from his mouth. He's so fucking giddy that she's home- that she's here finally with him- after being apart for a year. "C'mere." She puts her hand on the back of his neck and pulls him down for a kiss. She smiles when she feels his lips turn upward. He blindly reaches back to turn the water off then lifts her up. She wraps her legs around his waist as he takes them back to their bedroom, naked and wet.

~

Jackson has his chin in his hand, his elbow on the kitchen counter, as he watches his fiancé sway to a song on the radio with their son on her hip while she cooks something. It's nice to have the family back together again but Jax's heart hurts. She's going to leave them again in a few days and there's nothing he can do about it; nothing he wants to do about it. Alex is gone to finally finish her school and Jax doesn't want to do anything that'll jeopardize her education. So, for the time being, he's going to have to deal.

He's handled one year so what's another?

He's pulled from his thoughts when he hears giggling coming from the two in front of him. Jax gets to his feet and starts dancing with them, spinning Alex around. It makes his son laugh that cute laugh he got from his momma. Jax finally feels at home with these two; at peace, complete.

But he knows this feeling is going to end when she's back on the other side of the Mississippi River and his son is with Sig and Marge.

Anthony reaches out for the badass biker so Alex hands him over. She smiles at Jax, that only makes his heart ache more.

She can't leave him again.

Soon, Alex has Anthony asleep in his bed. She turns to her fiancé with that look on her face. Jax bites his lip, holding his hand out for her. He quietly shuts the bedroom door behind her before he's pushed down onto their mattress with Alex landing on his lap. "Fuck, I missed you." She breathes against his lips, giving the bottom one a small tug.

He moans quietly, his hands sliding up under the tight tank top she's wearing. "I fuckin missed you too."

~

Jax forces tears back as he watches the love of his life drive away. He keeps his arms tight around his son, his cheek on the top of his small head as he waves his little hand.

A month together wasn't enough.

He sadly turns to the front door and heads back inside to rejoin Donna and Opie, the two came over to say bye to their friend. "You alright, man?" Opie asks, standing from the couch.

Jax shrugs, handing Anthony to Donna. Opie gets a glimpse of the Presidents teary eyes and silently wraps him in a bro hug, Jax can't hold back his sobs. "Shit." He breathes out shakily. "Sorry." Jax sits in the armchair across from the couch. "I..." He rubs his face with his ringed hands. "Y'know that feeling you get when something doesn't feel right?" The couple on the couch nods. "I have that right now."

"I'm sure it's just you missing her- her leaving again. It's probably nothing." Donna says, a soft smile on her face. Jax nods in return, trying to ease himself but he's always trusted his gut.

Something just doesn't feel right to him.

~

Several months later, Alex has finished her final year of her nursing certificate. She bounces up to Will's front door, ready to head back to Charming. Will is sad to see her go but proud of her for doing this. He's helped her pack her stuff up and into her truck.

It's bittersweet.

Alex turns to her friend and gives him a smile. He's silent as he wraps his arms around her, holding her close and tight. "I'm gonna miss you, Alex."

"I'll miss you too, Will." She has tears in her eyes. "But, we can y'know visit each other." Will steps back and looks down at his dirty work boots. "Thanks for everything."

He nods and wipes his eyes. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you." Her voice breaks with tears. Alex hugs him again, her head against his chest. "I gotta get goin'." She sniffles, sliding into the crowded cab of her truck.

"Hey!" He shouts, resting his arms on the windowsill. "You drive safe, okay?" Will can't help the smile on his face as he looks up at the brunette. She blushes and nods. "Okay." Alex pats his strong arms, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Get on outta here, Alex."

"See ya 'round, Will."

He takes a deep breath as he watches her drive off back home.

Back to Charming.

Back to her family.

Back to Jax.