Nora was up early. No alarm clock necessary. She was more than ready to get the fuck out of this town and all of its turmoil. She had called her sister to let her know she was coming to live with her for a little while. Said she would explain everything when she got there. A knock on the door scared her before seeing Harley walk in. A soft smile on the blondes face put the woman more at ease.
“Hey, didn’t think you’d be ready to go so early.” The younger woman spoke softly as she leaned against the dresser.
“Yeah, I called to schedule a flight and let my sister know I was stopping by. I cannot wait to put this all behind me.” Nora replied as she fixed the bed.
“Nora.” Harley’s face turned more serious as she watched the girl work around the bed. “You know you can never open your mouth about anything you’ve learned about the MC. You understand that right? Nothing about what Kozik does, nothing about the kidnapping, the attack, nothing.”
Nora froze as she turned to face Harley. “Ye.. yeah.” she nodded quickly.
Harley stepped forward and Nora took a step back. This was the Harley she grew to fear and seeing it directed at her again made her want to roll into a ball on the floor and disappear. “Because if we find out you rat, I told the club I’d take care of you myself and thats something neither of us want right? I’ve really grown to like you, doll, but that wouldn’t stop me from putting a bullet between those perfectly done eyebrows. Are we clear?”
Nora swallowed loud and nodded furiously hoping Harley would believe her. “Yeah. Yes Harley I understand. My lips are sealed I swear.”
Harley nodded and looked at her again, bruises still visible all over. “If anyone asks you about the bruises. You tell them you got into an accident with a drunk driver. That’s it end of story.” Nora again nodded and Harley’s face softened again. “Good. All that said, I’m sad to see you go.”
Nora eased up a little and looked down at the ground, a soft smile on her face. “All that said: I’ll miss you most Harley. Please take care of him for me. I’m sure you’re more capable of it than I ever would be.” Harley nodded and turned to walk out when Nora spoke again. “And Harley? As much as you keep saying there’s nothing left between you guys – you can’t hide the love that’s so visibly there.”
Kozik took Nora to the airport. The ride was awkwardly silent. All that needed to be said between them was already said. He pulled over at the car at the drop off area and helped her get her bags on a cart.
Rubbing his palms nervously on the front of his jeans, he looked down at her. “So, I guess this is where we say goodbye?”
Nora nodded and looked at him. “Yeah, it is.” She stepped closer pulling him in for a hug. “Take care of yourself Herman. And take care of them.” She whispered into his neck and she held him tighter.
He hugged her back holding her close to him. “You too darlin’. Good luck.” He whispered as he pulled away putting his hands in his pockets. Nora wiped a few tears from her face and grabbed the cart with her luggage. Giving Kozik a small wave she left. Not looking back.
The Nomads dropped Neeta off at Harley’s house. She had made a breakfast of waffles and bacon giving a container to each of them before setting a plate for Neeta and Isabelle. Neeta left after breakfast. Harley gave isabelle a bath and got her dressed for the zoo. She slipped on a white t shirt with a pair of black leggings. She slipped on the girls biker boots almost identical to her own and Belle put on her leather jacket. Harley let the baby’s golden hair down in waves and walked over to her bedroom where she sat Belle on the bed while she got dressed listening to the baby talk about all the animals she wanted to see today. Throwing her hair up in a messy bun, Harley threw on a loose white V-neck with light distressed skinny jeans and her biker boots like her daughters. She did her makeup lightly keeping it natural before spraying on perfume.
Kozik knocked on the slightly open door before stepping inside smiling as he saw Harley and Belle.
“Daddy!” Baby Belle squealed as she slid off the bed running into Kozik’s arms.
He laughed and lifted her up hugging her tightly “There’s my girl!” He smiled as he kissed her temple before walking over to Harley who was working on her makeup in the mirror and kissing her shoulder. Harley smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Belle tell daddy what you want to see at the zoo!” She smiled at her excited daughter.
“Daddy I wanna see the beahs and da tigers and monteys!” She smiled brightly before cupping his face and looking at him with a serious expression that matched her mothers perfectly “and daddy, you has to promise me we can go pet da horseys. Mama gets sick and can’t take me.”
He laughed at his daughter’s seriousness and nodded knowing Harley was allergic to horses. “Alright sweetheart. You ready babe? He asked Harley.
“Yeah, be down in a minute. ” she nodded stuffing a change of clothes and a pair of pullups for Belle in her oversized purse before heading downstairs.
The family made their way to the zoo. Everything seemed so normal for once. Singing to Belle’s favorite songs in the car. Koz telling corny jokes the had both girls laughing. They seemed genuinely happy for once.
Getting out of the car, Kozik unbuckled the baby from the back and put her down on the ground holding her hand firmly so that she didn’t run away and went around to where Harley was double checking her bag to make sure everything was there. He threw his arm over her shoulder pulling her close as he held Belle’s hand and they walked to the line. The elderly woman at the window smiled taking in the family of blondes as Koz paid for their tickets. “Well aren’t you guys just the cutest little family I’ve seen all day!” Koz and Harley both looked at her and smiled. Harley wasn’t used to this look from people, she always received a look of pity for being a single mother, but this, this was something so different. She even felt her eyes water as she watched Kozik being led by Belle to the monkey exhibit almost immediately. She laughed to herself as Kozik threw a look back at her and she followed quickly behind them.
Harley took so many pictures throughout the day. Belle made sure to take them to see every animal the zoo had as she ‘taught’ her father the sounds they made and for the first time she got to touch the horses since Harley could never go in there with her.
After they had some hot dogs Harley carried a sleeping Belle in her arms as they made their way to the car. Looking up at at Kozik, he had the most satisfied smile on his face that made Harley smile to herself.
Noticing her looking at him and smile he looked looked confused “What?”
She smiled and shook her head. “You know. When we broke up, I wanted so badly to think that you’d be a shitty father and I guess all this time apart made it easier to believe that, but deep down I knew you’d be amazing.”
Kozik’s smile lit up his face. “I can’t even begin to describe what it means to hear you say that Harls.” He stepped in front of her looking down at a sleeping baby Belle then back at Harley. “As crazy as you were. I always knew you’d be an amazing mother” he smiled before leaning in kissing her lips softly. “Thank you for raising our daughter to be as amazing as you”
Harley felt her eyes water as she leaned up to kiss him back. “She is pretty amazing isn’t she” she whispered into the kiss as Kozik nodded.
Arriving back at the clubhouse the family walked in seeing everyone’s angry faces hanging around.
“What’s going on?” Kozik asked as he handed Isabelle over to Gemma.
“It’s Zobelle. He’s an FBI informant. No wonder the guy walks around like he’s king. Nobody can touch him.” Clay said as he put out his cigar since Belle was in the room.
Kozik and Harley both froze as they looked at Clay trying to comprehend what he just said.
“How is that possible? He’s doing all kinds of things with LOAN and then there’s what happened to Gemma and the kidnapping of Nora. How do they let him get away with all that?!” Harley said stepping closer to Clay and Jax.
Jax shook his head as he sighed. “None of that leads directly back to Zobelle. He’s working with high rollers and judges. We can’t do shi-anything.” He said looking at Belle then back at Harley who hung her head down.
She thought for a moment and smirked, making sure Belle was out of the room. ” It wouldn’t be our first time killing a Fed. I’m sure we can figure something out. That fucker needs to learn he can’t just come into OUR town, stir shit up, and leave like nothing ever happened. No. The SONS are to be respected and that asshole shit all over our doorstep. Letting him breathe another day is not an option.”
Everyone looked up at her and Clay smirked and nodded. “She’s right. Nobody comes into our town and steps all over us. We need to make an example out of him. Church in an hour!” He pulled Harley in for a hug and kissed her head. Everyone cheered in agreement. Zobelle had to pay for what he did to this town. To Gemma.