“The king bed goes in upstairs bedroom. First room on the left.”

 

Elena directed the large men unloading the furniture from a U-Haul truck.

 

“The princess one goes in the room directly across.”

 

“That’s my bed!”

 

Her precious 3 year old daughter, Madeline, confidently informed the movers as she stood next to her mother’s leg. Her small hand bound tightly on the hem of Elena’s navy tank top.

 

Madeline was a vivacious little girl. Though shy when first meeting someone, she got comfortable fairly quickly. The movers had been here for a few hours and Maddie had made it a point to talk to each and every one of them. Showing them whatever toys she could dig out of boxes before Elena could scold her, sharing new things she’d seen on TV, even asking them about their families.

 

It was cute to watch her interact, she was so perceptive to everything, just like her mother, but having a toddler running around in the midst of setting up a new home was exhausting.

 

The two had moved here for a fresh start. After lengthy custody battles, Elena had finally won full custody of Maddie. Her ex was a deadbeat to begin with. It was clear that their child was just a paycheck to him. She’d come back from a weekend spent at his home with dirty clothes that reeked of smoke. It was a hard fight but it ended up in her favor. He’d given up his rights and she’d been able to move away and set up roots somewhere else.

 

Charming, California. The name drew her in. The drive through town settled her anxiety when she saw the pretty houses and picturesque town square. Charming really was the only way to describe it.

 

Elena lifted Maddie up in her arms, resting her on her hip as she nodded her head towards the door for the movers to continue.

 

“Thanks, guys.” She smiled at them. “I’ll order us all some pizza. I’m sure you’re all starving!”

 

“Pizza!” Maddie clapped her hands.

 

Elena laughed at her excitement and walked inside behind the men carrying the beds.

 

Across the street, Jax smoked his cigarette as he leaned back against his bike. He’d spent the morning discussing club business at his home because the new sheriff in town had destroyed the clubhouse and prospects were still cleaning it up. As much as they wanted to retaliate, they had to be smart about this. They’d just spent the last 14 months in Stockton and the last thing they needed was to be thrown back in.

 

“Looks like you got new neighbors.”

 

Gemma walked out to join him. Her hand reaching at the stick between his lips to sneak a pull of her own. She looked over the bustling house then at her son who seemed to be in his own world but his eyes were locked on the doorway across the street.

 

“You alright baby?”

 

Her son hadn’t been the same since coming back home. She couldn’t blame him. He’d almost lost his life. Tara had left. She’d gotten the abortion and disappeared  before they were even put on trial. Gemma knew she didn’t have it in her to stay but Jax was blindsided.

 

“Yeah.”

 

He muttered shortly as he put stubbed out what was left of his smoke. His eyes returned to the woman who had reappeared from inside of the house, the little girl right behind herl. She held a small binder this time, checking off things as she looked over the boxes before giving orders to the movers.

 

“Well hot damn. Looks like we’ll be spending a lot more time at the VP’s place if that’s the view we get.”

 

He heard Kozik’s voice and the rest of the men laughed. Jax let off a smirk and got back onto his bike. The last thing he needed was to put his attention on another woman. The hurt of Tara’s betrayal was still weighing heavy on him.

 

She was something else though. Long brown hair hung in perfectly messy waves down the middle of her back. Her blue tank top complementing the golden glow of her skin. She looked to young to have a kid. Her toned body displayed tastefully by her tank and cut-off denim shorts but her face was what caught his attention the most. From what he could tell, she wasn’t wearing any makeup but her cheeks still had a natural pink flush. Her blue eyes accentuated by her dark eyelashes and contrasted by the whites of her eyes.

 

She’d seen him staring earlier, gave him a smile. Her teeth were bright white and perfectly straight, lightened up her entire face but it never reached her eyes. It was a look he was familiar with.
He’d imagined she’d had her own troubles. All of those men moving around her house but none of them seemed to be hers. From what he’d noticed it was just her and her kid. A miniature version of herself right down to the outfit. She looked around Abel’s age and just, if not more, outgoing. He’d witnessed her running around in between movers, playing with some of them before jumping on her mother or trying to catch her attention.

 

Gemma crossed her arms as she leaned into Clay’s side. His heavy arm thrown lazily over her shoulder.

 

“I’ll bring her over dinner muffins. Welcome her to the neighborhood.”

 

“Thanks.” He nodded before revving his bike.

 

Clay gave Gemma a kiss before the men took off. He could see her watching curiously as the brigade of bikes took off but soon she was out of his line of vision and it was back to business.

 

---

 

 

The door had been open most of the day but knocking caught her attention. Elena walked to the front door to see two women, an older brunette with blonde highlights and large scar on her chest sinking into her cleavage accompanied by a younger blonde with curly hair and bright blue eyes, her breasts practically spilling out of her crop top.

 

The door was open but the women stood politely at the threshold, both holding bowls. One containing muffins and other baked goods while the other one held some type of casserole.

 

“Hi.” Gemma spoke up. “I’m Gemma, my son, Jax lives across the street from you. This is Lyla. We just wanted to come by and welcome you to the neighborhood.”

 

Elena smiled at the women. There was an odd vibe from the older one, more like she was trying to make her presence known than to be welcoming but the younger one seemed genuinely warm and caring.

 

“I’m Elena, it’s so great to meet you. Please come in. I’m sorry for the mess.”

 

She took the bowls from the women and walked over to the kitchen with them.

 

“Can I get you guys anything to drink? I’m limited to beer and juicy-juice for now.”

 

Lyla laughed. “You have a little one too?”

 

“Yeah, Maddie. She’s three.”

 

She nodded and pulled three beers from the fridge.

 

The women accepted them and Elena’s eyes wandered to Gemma who was silently inspecting her surroundings.

 

“Oh, she’s Abel’s age! That’s Jax’s son. My fiance, Opie, and I have three but they’re older. We should get the kids together sometime, I’m sure Maddie would love to hang out with other kids!”

 

Gemma looked between the two before studying Elena’s reaction. Welcoming her to the neighborhood was one thing, bringing her into the family was another. She watched as the new woman smiled but she was reserved about it all.

 

“Yeah. That would be really nice. How old are your kids?”

 

“My son Ryder is 9. Opie has a son and daughter, Kenny and Ellie. Kenny is 7 and Ellie is 10.”

 

“Where’s the girl’s father?” Gemma asked bluntly.

 

“He’s not in the picture. Not anymore.” Elena lifted her beer to take a sip, avoiding any further questions.

 

“Mama, mama!” Maddie came in yelling excitedly before carelessly jumping up into her mother’s arms.

 

Elena caught her quickly, managing not to spill get beer. “What is it, babe?”

 

“I can’t find my blanket!” Maddie whined before turning to notice the women. “Hi! I’m Maddie, what’s your name?”

 

A real smile came across Gemma’s face as she shook the little girl’s hand. “I’m Gemma, this is Lyla.”

 

“Those are pretty names. My full name is Madeline but mama always calls me Maddie. Unless I get in trouble and then she says my full name. Middle name and everything!”

 

The three laughed at the little girl’s rambling before she yawned and leaned her head on Elena’s shoulder.

 

“We should get going.” Gemma said, nudging Lyla to stand. It was clear that she was in charge. “Listen. I take care of Abel during the day so I’m usually at my sons house. Don’t be shy if you need anything. Let me give you my number and I’ll write down Lyla’s too.”

 

“That’d be great, thank you.”

 

Elena handed her phone to the older woman, watching as she typed in the phone numbers before dialing both so they had her number.

 

---

 

 

After giving Maddie a bath and putting her to bed. Elena took a long shower herself. She pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. Throwing a cardigan over it before she grabbed another beer from the fridge.

 

It had been a long day. Full of people and things moving about. She took in the mess of boxes still scattered throughout the house and took a long pull from her drink. There was still so much to do. She knew moving would be hard, but this was going to be harder than that. She’d have to put everything away on her own. Every dish, every spoon, pan, shirt, dress, and shoe.

 

Maddie would love this place. She’d be able to look back at it and say that she had a beautiful childhood home. It was something she never had. She was from a military family. Her father died in combat when she was young, after that her mother went off the deep end. Her self destructive manners made Elena promise never to put her kids through that and she never had.

 

She never had the best taste in men but she couldn’t regret any decisions that she had made because they all lead to her having Madeline.

 

Elena walked out to get front porch for some air. Her back yard was littered with boxes of all sizes and if she saw one more box she’d have a full blown panic attack from being so overwhelmed. Instead, she took a seat on her steps, leaning against the railing as she took in the view of her new neighborhood.

 

It looked so calm in the dark. The houses only illuminated by streetlights and the occasional porch lights. She’d seen a few people out running with their dogs earlier but by this time of night the streets were abandoned of all life except for the dull humming of an approaching motorcycle. Not a group like she’d seen before, just one.

 

The bike pulled into the driveway across the street from her and the man pulled off his helmet. He was the blonde she’d seen earlier. She hadn’t missed him watching her every movement but she thought nothing of it until his eyes meet hers again. She could see the intensity behind those gorgeous blue eyes from where she sat. His gaze made her shiver and she brushed a chill from her exposed legs.

 

Jax put out the cigarette he’d been smoking. He considered going over there to talk to her but the door opened behind him and Gemma came out.

 

“Hey baby, I gotta go. Clay’s having issues with his hands again.”

 

He nodded, walking with her to her car, opening her door for her. Gemma threw her purse into the passenger’s seat before crossing her arms over her chest to look at her son.

 

“Everything go okay with Abel?”

 

“Yeah, it was a pretty slow day. Lyla and I met your new neighbor, ” She nodded her head to the young woman sitting on her steps. “Elena. She’s got a 3 year old named Maddie. Lyla wants to set the kids up on a playdate.”

 

Jax looked over at her. She wasn’t shy about keeping eye contact like most people. Gemma didn’t seem to miss it either.

 

“No old man?”

 

“Not anymore, according to her.”

 

“Alright. It’ll be good for Abel.”

 

She looked at her son with a knowing smirk. He fell easily for girls with pretty faces and right now she wasn’t sure if that distraction would be a good or bad one.

 

“I’ll see you at the shop tomorrow babe. Netta will be here with Abel most of the day.”

 

She gave him a kiss on the cheek before getting into her car and pulling out of the lot.

 

He looked across the street again but this time she was gone and the porch light was off. If she’d be spending time with Abel it was only right he introduced himself, but it was too late for that tonight.

 

Instead, Jax walked inside and grabbed a beer from his fridge before going into Abel’s room. He placed a hand on his son’s cheek. He was so peaceful. So unaware of everything happening around him. He felt guilt rising in his chest. What a fucked up life he’d brought this kid into.
Across the street, Elena was leaning against Maddie’s door frame. It was a hectic day for them but she knew it would be worth it. This was a new beginning for them. No one holding them back or bringing them down. She’d get a job. Enroll Maddie in a daycare so she could make new friends. She’d never miss her dad. Elena would make sure of that. Maddie would never know the train-wreck of a life that they’d managed to get out of.