Monday came and Jax was still trying to process everything. They had been talking and texting non stop throughout the day but he was still trying to wrap his head around how someone so full of life was so okay with the whole thing. Replaying yesterday’s meet up at the diner over and over in his head. Her walking in like nothing had happened. Mentally and physically covering it all up. She was more concerned with people finding out than she was with getting hurt. Just the thought of that bastard putting his hands on her made him so angry. Pulling his bike into his parking spot, he started walking towards the clubhouse when a dirty blonde talking to Gemma caught his attention.

“Jesus Christ” He mouthed under his breath, trying to continue walking, hoping neither had seen him but to no avail he heard Gemma calling him over. “What?” He yelled from the doorway but he knew better than to ignore her. Walking over he was surprised to see Gemma throw her arm around Wendy.

“Jackson, i think you and Wendy should go somewhere and talk.” Gemma insisted, nodding her head at the younger woman, looking up nervously at him.

“I have nothing to say to this crankwhore. I filed months ago.” He said coldly, watching as she got tears in her eyes.

“Tell him, sweetheart.” Gemma told her making him raise an eyebrow.

“Jax,” Wendy’s shaky voice started. “I…I’m”

“Spit it out.” He demanded, getting more and more annoyed by the minute.

“I’m pregnant.” She blurted out and Jax felt like he had the wind knocked out of him.

Speechless he stared blankly at her, his jaw hung open unable to think of any response.

“You’re going to be a father Jackson.” Gemma said, stepping closer.

“I can’t. I can’t deal with this right now.” He shook his head, stepping back away from the women, and going inside the clubhouse.

The guys were lounging around, Clay was in chapel planning their next move, Jax was about to go in when he caught a glimpse of that glowing blonde hair on the TV above the bar. Heaton’s press conference was today and there behind him she stood. The most perfect thing he’d ever laid his eyes on. The marks on her neck were barely visible. He assumed she’d had enough practice covering them throughout the years. He leaned back against a pool table, crossing his arms over his chest as he admired her. The way her tight fitting navy blue dress made her tan skin pop even more. The way it made her eyes shine like he’d never seen. She looked so professional standing behind Jeff. So collected. That was the one thing he admired about her. The appearance she kept. That even in the worse situations, she could put a brave face on instead of letting her emotions get the best of her.

The guys started watching too once Heaton started talking about enforcing stronger punishments on gun, drugs, and violence. How all gangs in the county were to be kept under strong surveillance. With everything going on, Jax had let the war going on slip his mind. Not only did he have to worry about Leila, the club, now a baby? His crank whore ex wife was about to have a baby. Jesus Christ.

---

With the Press Conference coming to a close, Leila joined her father as he said hi to various members of the courts, as well as state and federal government officials. If it was one thing she was good at, it was mingling. She knew from a young age befriending these people would come in handy, and it definitely had on many occasions.

As they wrapped up, her father walked her to her car. Hugging her tightly, Jeff gave her a kiss on the head. “You were great out there kiddo.” She smiled big at her. One of the few times he actually did.

Smiling at her father she punching him lightly in the arm. “Learned from the best!”

“Where you headed to?” He asked as he opened the car door for her.

“TM. Car needs a maintenance check.” She said as she dropped her purse in.

“Alright, have fun. Sweetheart.” He said as she kissed his cheek before stepping inside.

On the drive over, Leila was exhausted. She’d been up all morning with his team reviewing his speech and what questions she was allowed to comment on, what the answers would be. It was all worth it though, for that one moment where he acted like this.

Driving her car onto the Teller-Morrow lot, she pulled her car into a spot before getting out to head to the office, not missing the eyeing she was getting from the mechanics. A lanky curly headed guy headed up to her as she approached the office door. “How can I help you miss?” His jittery motions, making her want to laugh.

“I’m Leila.” She said, smiling softly before pointing to her car. “My maintenance light is on. Thought you could take a look?”

“I’m Half-Sack” He said before shaking his head with a nervous laugh when she raised an eyebrow at him. “Uh, Kip. I’ll be happy to take a look. Gemma will get you set up with your paperwork.” He said scratching the back of his hair as he looked her up and down.

Leila nodded, handing him the keys before walking inside the office. “Gemma?” She asked the focused women typing away at the desk.

As Gemma was about to answer, the sound of car speeding into the lot was heard catching both woman’s attention. “Jesus Christ.” She heard Gemma say as ATF started swarming the clubhouse as well as the garage. The women headed outside, Gemma placing her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun as they watched all the men be evacuated from inside and laid out on the ground while agents headed back into search. Her eyes caught Jax’s full of anger and panic.

Looking at all the chaos, Leila felt a rush of anger when her eyes came across June Stahl.  She moved away from Gemma, walking over to Stahl with her arms crossed over her chest. “What’s going on?” She demanded.

“Just a routine check, sweetheart.” Stahl said, keeping her eyes on the bikers as more people flooded the garage and clubhouse.

“See, that doesn’t work for me. My car’s in the shop and I’d hate to wait around longer than I have to so why don’t you be on your way.” Leila said, keeping her eyes on June.

“You don’t get a say here princess. I think you can manage.” Stahl said turning her attention to the young woman in front of her, placing her hands on her hips.

“You know, I think i might manage the wait, but how are you going to manage when I call up your boss and let him know you were fucking his sister’s husband while she was on her deathbed?” Leila said, her tone sweet, but venomous.

Stahl’s eyes narrowed at Leila as her body towered over her. “I could have you arrested for interfering with a government investigation.”

“I could end your career.” Leila spat. “Think about it June. I sit in a cell for an hour tops and walk like nothing happened but I’ll have you on the street begging for change.”

Stahl read into the younger womans eyes before biting her lip hard and turning to her men yelling for them that they were done. “This ain’t over, princess.”

“As far as you’re concerned, it is.” Leila said, watching as the men poured out and back into the cars.

The leather clad men stood up, all looking at the small woman surprised. She shot them a wink, keeping her eyes on Jax’s grateful smile before turning back to Gemma, who looked just as impressed. “So about that paperwork?”