Natalie:

The daycare at the hospital was closed on weekends. Usually you weren’t scheduled to work those days since nobody could watch Levi, but Gemma needed you to come in early to help make sure everything was all ready for the inspection later today.

You were thankful Levi had fallen asleep in his carseat so you took the seat with you inside the office, gently placing it on the sofa so you wouldn’t wake him and actually get some work done. Gemma was usually stressed during inspection time. With all the money being laundered from the club, all the invoices had to add up, and since the guys occupations were technically mechanics their “work” hours had to match what they were claiming. All the work stations had to be clean and tools up to code.

She had the employees cleaning since practically dawn but she needed you to work on the computer for the books. With law enforcement always after the club, any discrepancy would lead to more investigation than they needed.

You went through timesheets and sale invoice while Gemma checked the paper copies of everything to make sure they all matched when the office door swung open  and the noise caused the baby to wake up crying.

“Hey Gem, looks like the inspector guy is pulling in.” Kip came through the door.

You couldn’t help but shot him a deadly glare for waking the baby but he mouthed sorry and went off. Turning your attention to Gemma, you shrugged your shoulders.

“It looks like everything’s all set. I’ll be at the bar just in case.”

You nod as you take the grouchy toddler from the carseat, carrying him in one arm and the car seat in the other.

“Alright, baby. Wish me luck.”

She nodded, rubbing Levis hair softly to calm him.

“It’ll be fine.”

You reassure her before walking across the pavement. Your eyes catch the man in a business suit, suitcase in hand, as he walked past you to the office you just walked out of. He looked like a picky asshole but Gem could handle him. You walked into the clubhouse and placed the carseat on a table before wiping your baby’s tears from his reddened cheeks. A few of the guys were there but they were gathered around discussing something important so you tried to shoosh your noisey toddler.

“It’s okay grumpy guss.” You whisper in his ear as you held him against you, gently patting his back as you rocked side.

“Awh, what’s goin’ on with the little one?” Chibs asked as he approached you.

“He’s probably just hungry. ” You rock him gently until Chibs reached out his arms.

“You look exhausted lass. Go have a seat. I’ll feed him.”

“Thanks, Chibs. He was up all night.” Accepting the offer, you hand the baby to him. “I’ll get his bottle ready, just give me a second.”

He nodded and you walked back out to your car to grab the diaper bag before returning inside to get his formula ready in the kitchen. You watched through the window as Chibs and now Juice were playing with Levi, keeping him distracted enough to stop crying. It was times like these that you loved the guys. Most people wouldn’t feel as comfortable with a bunch of bikers watching their kids but you did.

You walked back over, handing the bottle to Chibs and sat on the couch across from him as he fed the baby. Levi was just as comfortable around all of his uncles as you were. It didn’t matter which one of them held him, he knew and loved all of them. In a sense it was like his dad lived on through the guys. Levi would know what his father loved  and who his family really was. It hurt your heart that he couldn’t be here to see his brothers helping you out like this but you always felt like he was watching.

“He’s got your eyes.” Juice pointed out as he tried to make the baby laugh.

You offered him a smile but that was the most you could do. You were exhausted and clearly it showed but you had a long day ahead of you.

Jax and Clay came in a short while later. Neither looked too happy but they stopped their argument as soon as they saw the baby.

“How’s the inspection going?” Clay asked while he watched Chibs feed him.

“Guess It’s fine. Gem hasn’t come in yet.” You shrug.

He nodded as he brushed the kids hair back while Jax took a seat next to you.

“What time did she have you come in?”

“Seven.” You answer with a yawn. “I’m just glad he was asleep up until Kip showed up.”

“Swear, that kids got half a brain instead of half a sack.” Jax laughed.

Juice smiled as he looked at the baby then back at you. “Kid looks like he’s ready to fall asleep again.”

“Hope so..”

“Alright,” Clay nodded. “Call everyone down for Chapel.”

Chibs handed the baby to you while they went to get everyone from the lot and the dorms. Placing Levi on your chest, you laid back against the couch in hopes of getting him back to sleep.

---

 

Kozik:

“Goddamn Nords.” Clay mumbled at the table. “They’re all white trash meth addicts and their leader is out.”

“Darby’s out?” Tig asked from his seat next to Clay.

“Yeah, looks like they got the shop up and running again.” Jax confirmed.

“They got a bunker right past Charming borders but they’re selling inside our lines.” Juice added.

“Motherfucker’s needs to die. For Lucah.” Happy spoke up from the other end of the table causing all the rest of the men to mumble and grunt in agreement.

“All of them do.” You added.

Clay nodded before he looked around the table. “Agreed, but we start with the lowlives selling to pregnant women and kids.”

You looked at Jax who was visibly angry at the reminder of Wendy’s drug use during her pregnancy. You knew what it was like to struggle with a crank addiction. You’d been sober for eight years but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t still get an itch for it.

“We’ll set up a meet with Darby. Let him know where we stand. Now SAMDINO is on their way down, should be here within the hour, we’ll meet up again then.”

Clay finished the meeting and you all started filing out of the room when you heard Jax’s voice.

“Shh.” He whispered and you walked out to see Natalie asleep on the sofa with her kid sleeping on her chest.

Something about how sad she looked made you feel for her. Her arms were wrapped protectively around the baby even in deep sleep. She was beautiful. It wasn’t something you’d missed. You had always caught yourself staring at her when she wasn’t looking but to see her so still was something different.

“Quite a sight, ain’t she brother.”

Tig placed a hand on your shoulder as he came up behind you. You and him had your differences but you knew when you agreed.

“Kozik, have her nap in your dorm. She’ll kill us if the others get here and wake Levi.”

Clay directed and you nodded, quietly walking over to her before placing a hand gently on her shoulders. Her eyes opened slowly, almost gracefully as she looked up at you.

“Hey, you want to lay in my room? We got another charter coming. Clay doesn’t want them to wake the kid.”

She sat up slowly, clutching the boy against her chest as she contemplated your offer before accepting. Gemma wouldn’t let her off this lot without the inspection ending so this was her only shot at shut eye before she could go home.

You helped her up, placing your hand on the small of her back as you led her back to the room. You watched as she placed the baby on the bed, putting two of your pillows on either side of him before laying down herself.

“Thanks.” She mumbled and almost instantly fell asleep again.

You couldn’t imagine what it was like to be in her shoes. You’d seen her get better and better from the state she was in the day of her old man’s funeral but you don’t remember the last time she actually smiled. It was a shame too. She had a gorgeous smile. Would light up a whole room with it, but that light went out when her world did.

Shutting the door behind you, you left her to get some sleep while you returned back to the guys who were sprawled around the bar.

“Got a meeting with Darby tonight at 11. Tig, Koz, and Jax. You’re with me.” Clay ordered and you nodded instinctively.

The Nords had been the ones responsible for Lucah death. Each and every one of you wanted them dead and Clay would make sure that happened, you were sure of it. The loss of a brother is never easy but Lucah was like a son to Clay. That was his prospect. He practically raised the guy. Even though he did a good job hiding all of that hurt, all of you knew how deeply it had affected him too.

The men had arrived shortly after. Clay held a meeting to catch up on their runs, their finances, their beef with the Mayans. With Charming being the mother charter, when another charter needed help, we were the ones they came too. This thing was bigger than you or these men. It was a partnership just as much as a brotherhood. You do what you can to make sure the other succeeds and thrives and that’s exactly why you would do anything for these guys, because when push comes to shove, you knew they’d do the same for you.

It wasn’t long before the second meeting was over and the men walked out into the bar. Your eyes caught Natalie holding her kid on her hip as she spoke to Gemma. The little kid playing with her hair like it was the greatest thing in Earth.

“Damn, who’s that sweet ass talking to Gemma?”

One of the SAMDINO men, Nick, nudged you to look over at her.

“Have some respect brother, that’s an old lady.”

You defended, strangely hating her talked about that way.

“Oh yeah, who’s? Is that the doctor – Teller’s girl?”

“Is that Lucah’s boy?”

The SAMDINO president said coming up behind the two of you.

“Yeah. Just turned two last month.”

“It’s been that long, huh?”

“Yeah.”

You nodded and watched Les walk over to her. In her usual nonchalant manner, she gave him a hug and you watched her nod and hand the baby over. Again, nothing but the faint hint of a smile crossed her lips. Instead, she took a seat at the bar, hand resting on her cheek as she listened to whatever Les had to say while he played with the kid.

“So who’s Lucah?” Nick asked from behind you.

“A fallen brother.” You answer. “Nords got him killed a couple years ago.”

“Sorry to hear that.” He nodded, not ripping his eyes away from her. “Two years though, that’s enough time for mourning. I’m gonna see if I can help.”

You felt an anger boil down in your stomach as you watched him swagger over to her but a vibrating in your pocket caught your attention. Looking at Jen’s name in your phone, you answered it before stepping outside for some privacy.

---

 

Natalie:

Gemma had asked you to stay and help with the party she was throwing for SAMDINO tonight. You could’ve easily said no – and you did – but Gemma has a way of getting you to agree. She’d already called Neeta, the kids nanny, to come pick up Levi while you took a quick inventory of the bar to make sure you were fully stocked. Usually the croweaters would do it but they were busy keeping the men entertained for now.

Les had taken Levi and sat down with Clay and a few others to chat. You kept a close eye on him but you trusted Les. Lucah was highly respected in the club and Les had always been good to him. You watched as the older men held him close and let him play with their beards and hair. It was nice to see these cold hard men have a soft spot.

“Sorry to hear about your old man.” An unfamiliar voice caught your attention.

Turning your head, you look to see one of the newer members of SAMDINO coming towards you before he took a seat on the stool. Shrugging your shoulders, you ignore the comment and keep counting the box containing the whiskey bottles.

“I’m Nick.” He smiled down at you.

“Natalie.”

“Must be hard.” He continued. “Taking care of a kid all by yourself.”

Again, you shrug. What did he expect to get from this conversation? His words didn’t mean anything. He didn’t know you or Lucah.

“A girl like you shouldn’t be without an old man. I’d be more than happy to fill that role. Take you down to San Bernadino, make a good old lady outta you.”

It wasn’t the first time you’d been hit on, but to be talked about like some type of meat was disgusting. You looked at his hungry smile and rolled your eyes.

“What do ya say?”

“I’ll pass.”

You reply before grabbing your notebook off the counter. You hear him laugh before he grabbed your arm and forcefully pulled you closer. All of the SAMCRO men witnessing the exchange stand from their seats. He took a look around before taking his hand off of you.

“I better hear a damn good apology from you brother.” His president spoke up.

With a low growl, he mumbled. “Sorry.”

“I can’t hear you back here boy.” Clay told him.

“I’m sorry.” Nick said louder and clearer.

Rolling your eyes again, you grab the notebook and walk over to Les to grab the baby. His apology didn’t mean anything to you, it wasn’t the first time this had happened and it wouldn’t be the last. These men were pigs when it came to women. You were seen as property to them.

“I’m sorry about him. Boy must’ve lost his damn mind. He didn’t mean any harm.” Les explained as he looked between you and Clay – more towards Clay than you. To squash any bad blood it may have caused.

Nodding your head you take Levi back to Kozik dorm to pack up his things before walking back out to the lot to wait for Neeta. Kozik’s voice caught your attention as you sat on top of the picnic tables. He seemed off again, a look of disappointment written across his face. It must’ve been Jen. He only used that soft tone with her. Why he still bothered with her was beyond you.

You saw him hang up and his eyes meet yours causing him to walk over.

“You okay?” He asked.

“Yeah.” You replied.

“You sure? You look upset. What’re you doing out here?”

“I’m good, I’m waiting for Neeta to pick him up.”

Kozik reached over, rubbing the toddler’s stomach and Levi giggled before reaching over to be held by him. He scooped the little one up from your arms and carefully tossed him in the air causing the baby to burst in giggles. You smiled softly as you watched.

Kozik wasn’t one to interact with the kids but watching him now seemed to melt a small part of your frozen heart. Running your fingers through your long brown hair, you looked away from them to see Neeta’s car pulling into the lot.

“You’re ride’s here baby. You get to play with Neeta and Abel!”

“Abel! Abel!” Levi clapped as Kozik handed him over. “Bye!” He waved at the man while you walked him over to the car and set up his car seat. He squealed with excitement to see Abel next to him. After kissing both of their foreheads, you shut the door and thanked Neeta before she drove off.

“Cute kid, must be good for them to hang out together.” Koz nodded as he watched you walk back, lighting a cigarette between your lips.

“Yeah.” You blew out the smoke, sitting up on the picnic table.

He cleared his throat, unsure of what to do with the silence. Most people didn’t. They would get uncomfortable and leave when you didn’t respond but he hadn’t let up yet.

“That was Jen.” He continued, sitting next to you. “Called to tell me she misses me. Goddamn that woman knows how to play games.”

You took another puff and offered it to him. You didn’t have anything to say about his situation. You could understand both sides. Seeing how this club could rob you of everything you ever loved, you wished you would’ve ran, but then again the love you had for Lucah would never have allowed that. Kozik genuinely believed Jen loved him but Jen loved herself more. You couldn’t blame her for not wanting to go through this.

He sighed, giving it back to you. “I think it’s done for good this time though. I can’t keep doing this. It ain’t good for my life. Who knows what could happen if my head ain’t in the game right.”

“You’d die.” You reminded him bluntly.

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“Nat!” Donna called from the door. “Gemma needs you!”

You stubbed out your cigarette and walked back inside. Donna pointed to the kitchen and you made your way back there to find the Gemma scrubbing some of the glasses.

“Goddamn croweaters, can’t trust them to do nothin’” She mumbled before looking up at you. “Hey, Sack is busy working the bar, you mind heading to the back and grabbing some more glasses. Goddamn sluts can’t clean these ones for shit.”

You nodded your head, walking down the hallway to the storage room when someone pushes you up against the door.

“Thought you’d get away that easy?” Nick’s voice ran behind your ear as his body pressed against you, holding you pinned against the door.

“What is wrong with you!” You struggle to get out of his grasp but he holds you still, his nose brushing up your neck and into your hair as he smells you.

“Just curious to see what the big deal is. You must have a golden pussy to get all those men riled up about you.” His hands roughly dragged down your sides, running to the front of your jeans as you felt his hard-on pressed against your ass.

“Let me go!” You screamed as loud as you can but he didn’t budge, only laughed as one of his hands grabbed your hair roughly, his other hand cupping in between your legs.