“Good Morning, beautiful.”

He whispered softly in her ear as his lips traced along the edge of it. It felt so good to not have to run out of here at the break of dawn. To be able to see her in the morning for a little more than just a sleepy goodbye. His fingertips caressed her arm, sliding up and down slowly as he admired her silky skin under his touch. Her face was finally starting to get better. The dark bruises fading and the scraps scabbing over. He was still so mad at himself for letting this happen to her. He had promised to never let him touch her again and he’d failed miserably.

She stirred in his arms. Her eyes opening slowly and when they met his, she smiled brightly. Even in the darkest situations her smile would make everything better. He could tell it hurt her to smile by the way she squinted her eyes in pain but it never faltered. All of this had ended. The abuse. The secrecy. It was all over. He placed his hand on her cheek gently as he leaned over to give her a kiss.

“Good morning.” She mumbled against his lips in that adorable morning voice.

He pulled her closer, kissing her again. Her lips returning the favor, running her fingertips through his hair. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you for this babe.”

“Just don’t go away.” She whispered against his lips.

“Never.”

He kissed her again and she pulled him in deeper, her tanned legs wrapping around him. His tongue made his way between her parted lips and danced around with hers. Leila’s hands ran down his body slowly before her fingertips curled into the band of his boxers, tugging them off of him. Smirking against her lips, Jax ran his hands up her body pulling her tank top over her head. The need to feel her bare skin on his was intense. His lips left hers, making their way down her neck to her breast before capturing her throbbing nipple between his lips. He sucked it gently before flicking his tongue against it, looking up to see her moan blissfully. He bit it softly before sliding his hand down the curve of her side to her panties to pull them down.

Jax trailed his tongue down her flat stomach and brushed it against her clit as he spread her legs apart to get a better view. She was so beautiful. All of her was. There wasn’t a single thing about this woman that wasn’t astonishing. With his eyes focused on hers, he slid his tongue down her wet slit, groaning at how good she tasted. She moaned again, only egging him on further as he slide his tongue deeper into her hot core. Moving it in and out slowly. He could feel her tighten around his tongue and leaned up slightly to slide his finger inside, curving it up slightly to rub her g-spot right where she needed most. Leila’s hands quickly grabbed his body, pulling him down against her to kiss him deeply. Panting softly with each stroke as she got closer and closer to climax.

“Love me”

She whispered as she pushed his finger out and adjusted her hips under his. Without any further hesitation, he buried himself deep inside of her, letting out a low groan from the tightness. He gave her a moment to adjust before he began rocking his hips slowly. She opened her eyes slowly, looking deep into his and all logic left his body. Slowly they became entwined. Arms and legs tangled. Their hearts merged into one while their bodies moved rhythmically to the sounds of euphoric moans that filled the room. His thrusts became deeper, faster. Without control their bodies soon erupted. Each reaching their own release.

Their shaky breaths soon became steady again as he laid back with his arms wrapped around her. He could feel the quickened pace of her heartbeat and smirked to himself. He could get used to this. Morning sex was definitely a plus and she was always so ready for him. Leaning over, he kissed her head softly before she sat up.

“You wanted anything for breakfast?” She asked, holding the sheet over her chest coyly.

“Why don’t we go out to the diner? We won’t have to leave town anymore.”

“Let me take a quick shower and we’ll go.”

She laughed before getting off of the bed and making her way towards the bathroom. He couldn’t help but admire the view. Her perfect round ass swaying with every step. He was ready to go again in a heartbeat. He got up to follow her in but his phone rang on the nightstand. Gemma. He cleared his throat and answered the phone, holding it pressed between his ear and his shoulder while he slid his boxers on.

“Hey Ma.”

“How’s it going baby?”

“Uh, fine. Just at Leila’s.”

“Still coming to dinner tomorrow night? I’m picking up steaks from the German.”

“Oh you know it.”

“You should bring Leila. It’ll be nice to have her around the family.”

“I’ll ask her today, Ma.”

“Hey, you heard from Wendy at all? Never answers her goddamn phone.”

“It’s cause she knows it’s you.” He laughed before returning to his normal tone. “But, nah. She’s supposed to be sending me the doctor bills. Haven’t seen one in weeks.”

“I’ll go by on my way home. I’ll check in on her.”

“Thanks…Grandma.” He joked.

“Asshole.” She chuckled on the end of the line before hanging up on him.

“Who was that?”

He heard Leila’s voice, to see her leaning against the doorframe. Her hair was wet in messy waves with her towel wrapped loosely over her chest. He licked his bottom lip looking her over before putting his phone back on the nightstand to walk over to her. His large hands gripping her hips as he pulled her small body closer to his.

“Gemma. I’m going to jump in the shower while you get ready babe.” He kissed her forehead before walking over to the bathroom.

---

The looks and stares weren’t missed as Jax and Leila pulled up to the dinner on his bike. Removing her helmet, she handed it to him before adjusting her pants. This was one of the few times she got to ride his bike and this time it was in Charming. It all felt so surreal. After months and months of hiding and secret meetings, they could finally be out in the open. Jax proudly took her hand in his before leading her inside. She sat down at one of the booths and smiled at him. Regardless of all eyes being on them, she wouldn’t trade this for the world.

“Can I start you off with some coffee?”

“Yes please!”

She answered and watched as the waitress filled her mug and did the same for Jax. Putting in some cream and sugar, she stirred it and took a sip. It had been a long couple of days but it was well worth it for this extra time with him. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities and with her father at her beck and call now – nothing would get in the way.

“So.. “ He leaned in. “My mom’s having a family dinner tomorrow night. It’ll be a way for you to formally meet everyone.”

Laughing lightly she nodded. “That sounds great babe. I’d love too.”

“Good.” He smiled wide. “I know how intimidating these men can be but they’re all good guys if you get to know them.”

“Well if they’re anything like you, I be I could deal.”

She watched him laugh. It was in his eyes, in the way his face changed in relaxed joy. She couldn’t help but smile at his child-like happiness. Just being around him for a few minutes was better than a whole day of pampering at a spa. The relaxation she got from being able to be herself – full herself – was better than anything she’d ever known. It was crazy how in love she was. Never in her life did she think this would happen to her. To meet a guy so wild in nature but so pure in soul.

The ringing of his phone interrupted her thoughts. Her watched as his face went from pleasant to scrunched in confusion and anger. Uh – Oh. She tried listening in but the conversation seemed one sided with him just nodding his head. The fire behind his eyes was terrifying and after hanging up he stood up quickly, dropping a few dollar bills on the table before taking her arm to leave.

“What happened?” She asked as she struggled to keep up with him.

He thrusts a helmet at her as he strapped his on and shook his head. “That was Gemma. Wendy’s in the hospital.”

“What about the baby?” She asked quickly getting on and wrapping around him.

“Guess we’ll find out.”

His cold tone sent shivers down her spine. She didn’t know why she was so concerned about a child she had no connection to but she was. She had a bad feeling about Wendy from their first encounter and she just prayed that baby made it through. With Jax speeding past every light, she held on as tightly as she could before they stopped in front of the hospital.

There was barely a pause between the bike stopping and Jax pulling her with him through the door. His long strides were much easier in his sneakers than in her heels by she could see how scared he was and did her best to keep up. Gemma greeted them at the door, followed by a few members, her face mimicking the look of worry on Jax’s.

“I found these matches,” Gemma started as they made their way down the hallway. “next to a bunch of her empty thumb bags.”

“Hairy Dog.” She heard one of them mumble.

“Shit.” Clay said as they moved quicker. “Its gotta be the Nords again, dealing outta the dog. “

“Darby got outta Chino two weeks ago.” Bobby informed them.

Jax’s silence was deafening. His eyes shouting the words that hadn’t been spoken. He was more than pissed. Full of murderous rage. He gave her hand a squeeze, needing her comfort at a time like this and as badly as it hurt, she squeezed back, kissing the back of his shoulder as they finally reached her room.

Wendy looked half dead, lying there while the nurses examined the rest of her. A familiar face came through the door. What was her name? Sara? No it started with a T. Tara – Tara Knowles. This was Jax’s ex. The one that left for medical school all those years ago. Now she was back? Looking at Jax she could tell he was just as taken aback but that wasn’t his focus right now.

“What the hell happened?”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

Tara folded her arms over her chest standing directly in front of Jax. She didn’t miss the look of shock in Tara’s face upon seeing her there but she cleared her throat and returned her eyes to Jax.

“A couple of weeks.” He answered honestly. Leila could feel his hands starting to sweat as the nerves kicked in. His thumb brushing slowly along her hand with a need to feel her there.

They watched Tara take a deep breath before beginning. “Her hands and feet are full of tracks. Toxicology reports aren’t back yet but it’s most likely crank.”

“Shit.” He mumbled under his breath. He could see his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to breath. He turned his head to look at Leila and she bit her lip nervously. “I should’ve listened to you.” He shook his head looking down.

“And the baby?” Leila stepped in, noticing Wendy’s belly wasn’t there anymore.

“We had to do an emergency C-Section. He’s 10 weeks premature.”

“Holy Shit.” He looked between Leila and Gemma as Leila covered her mouth with her hand in shock.

“Come on. Sit down. I’ll walk you through it.”

“Just tell me.” He shook his head and Gemma stepped closer to listen in.

“He’s got a congenital heart defect.” Jax looked at his mom once more as the words left her mouth. “and gastroschisis – a tear in his abdomen”

Leila saw his eyes begin to fill with tears but his eyes never left the ground. She squeezed his hand and he pulled her closer to him causing Tara’s eyes to look between the two before taking a deep breath and continuing. “The gastro and the early birth are from the drugs but the CHD is probably…”

“The family flaw.” Gemma interrupted.

“Yes, it’s genetic. Either one would be serious but not life-threatening. However, the two of them together…”

Jax’s eyes shifted from Tara and up at the ceiling. He knew what she meant. They all did. She didn’t have to say it. Hell none of them wanted to hear this. Leila wrapped her arms around Jax and he threw his arm around her neck, tucking her into his chest as he leaned his head down in her hair. She could feel the dampening from tears he wouldn’t dare shed as he squeezed her tightly.

“Dr. Namid gives him a 20 percent chance and I’m afraid that’s being optimistic.” She added.

“Oh my god.” Leila mouthed.

“She stopped wanting to talk to us.” Gemma added. “We didn’t know.”

“Leila tried to tell me. I went over there and she swore up and down she wasn’t using again.”

“She missed her last three appointments.” Tara shook her head. “No one knew. Dr. Namid wants to fix his belly first. Then – if he stabilizes – he’ll go in and try to repair the heart. I’m sorry Jax. I can take you to see him now.”

Leila looked up at him, the fury right back in his eyes as he glanced at Wendy from the glass door of the room then went back to Tara as he followed her. “Tara, you don’t have to do this. I’m sure you got other patients.”

“I asked Dr. Namid if I could assist. I want to help your son.” She nodded as her eyes flickered over to Leila.

“His name’s Abel.” Leila spoke up. Gemma’s hands on her shoulder behind her as the two of them watched the interaction.

“That’s a good name.” Tara nodded at the two.

Jax’s eyes went cold as he turned to leave. “Jax … “ Leila questioned. He couldn’t leave without seeing his son.

“Jackson!” Gemma called out, trying to go after him but Clay held her back.

“Go with Tara!” He yelled behind him. “There’s something I gotta do.”

“Watch his back.” Clay told Chibs and Bobby as he turned to Leila and Gemma.

She wasn’t stupid. She’d put the pieces together as to where he was going. He needed this, but it was still wrong. He should be here with his son in his time of need. Even without the DNA test all of these emotions were real. Gemma placed her hand on her back, nudging them forward with Clay trailing behind as they followed Tara to a separate unit of the hospital.

In one of the rooms laid a tiny baby boy, covered in wires in an incubator. Leila felt her heart racing as she entered the room. The need to hold and comfort and take this baby’s pain away filled every bone in her body. She saw Gemma, her eyes full of tears as her hand covered her mouth in shock. He was so little. So helpless. Her hand involuntarily reached out, trembling as it touched the glass of the incubator, this baby needed to make it. He was going to.

Leila turned to Tara. Her eyes red and watery and she took a deep breath. “Tara – I need you to research the best surgeons in the country who specialize with this.”

“Dr. Namid’s a great surgeon.”

“That’s great, but if we have 2 or 3 great ones – his chances go up.”

“I know of a few who specialize in CHD and the gastro but his surgery is tomorrow there’s -”

“Then you should get ahold of them now. I’ll pay for everything. Flights, hotels, and double for their services. Get them here by tonight.”

Tara’s eyes shot between Gemma and Leila and she nodded before leaving the room. Gemma came up behind her as Leila turned around, her eyes once again fixated on the baby.

“Thank you.” Gemma said softly.

“Abel’s going to pull through.” Leila said firmly. “He will.”