“Knock knock” Mina said, opening the heavy hospital room door. A weary looking Tara slowly adjusted herself to sit up with a look of confusion as the younger woman approached the bed, setting flowers down on the table next to her. “These are for you.” She smiled softly as she sat on the seat.
“Why are you here?” Tara replied coldly.
Mina shrugged slightly, really unsure for herself why she was here, but the issue with Gemma was gnawing at her. “I.. I just wanted to see how you were. Heard you were getting out of here soon.”
Tara looked her up and down, not buying the act. “Really? That’s why you’re here?”
The young brunette looked down, playing with a loose string from the rip on her jeans. She guessed she deserved that. It wasn’t like the two were best friends for her to be here. “ Look, I’m sorry. I never meant for things to go this way with Jax. But I swear to you I never did anything with him while you two were together.”
“I don’t care anymore.” Tara shook her head as she leaned back on the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. “I just want to get my boys out.”
”Tara, who did this to you. Was it the Chinese?” Mina pushed on.
The doctor’s eyes stared into to Mina’s, her eyebrows furrowed, as her look became questioning. “Jax said it was. I didn’t see anything. I heard noises then everything went black.”
“Damnit.” Mina mumbled, “Why would the Chinese go after you?”
Tara slouched her shoulders as she looked down in anger. “Who knows what the clubs involved with now.”
Giving an understanding nod, Mina looked out the window. “Yeah I guess.” She stood up and gave Tara a soft smile. “I’m sorry if I bothered you.. hope you feel better.”
As she went to head out, Tara spoke up again. “You know, thinking back to how much wrong the club does, I realized how big of an idiot I was for jumping back in.”
Mina turned her head, confused as to why she was telling her this. “I guess you were blinded by love.”
With a scoff, Tara shook her head. “I used to say that we are better human beings when we’re with the person we’re supposed to be with. But I was wrong. It’s made me vengeful, bitter.”
Taking a deep breath in, Mina looked at the woman, deep in through, on the bed. “You adapted..” She said, unsure of what else she really could say.
“This club.. the man you’re so quick to defend, that evil woman, he calls his mother. They ruined my life. I’ve been kidnapped. I’ve been arrested. I’ve had my career destroyed. All in the name of SAMCRO. Can you really tell me you want to be part of that?”
Mina’s eyes stayed on Tara’s as the woman’s eyes filled with angry tears. “Tara..” She stepped closer. “I want to help you get those boys out of Charming.”
“Why? Why would you want to do that?” Tara asked, untrusting of the new woman in Jax’s life.
“Because I don’t trust Gemma and what she’s capable of.” Mina answered sharply. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure you get out safely.
A hesitant but hopeful look flashed across Tara’s face. “Thank you.”
The familiar scent filled his nose as he started to stir from his sleep. Opening his eyes slowly he smiled after seeing his was at Mina’s house. In Mina’s bed. When he looked over at her side though, she was of course gone. “Jesus Christ” he mumbled, grabbing his phone to check the time to see that it was only 8am. If it was one thing he would change about her, it was how early she was up and about. He wasn’t a late sleeper by any means but she was always up before dawn.
He got up off the bed and jumped into the shower. Today things needed to get moving. He’d talk to the club, catch up on what was going on. The Chinese would have no idea what was coming. As he lathered up, he was almost hesitant to wash Mina’s scent off of him. Being surrounded by it soothed him, calmed him. But right now – calm wasn’t what he needed. He needed revenge. It was bad enough they messed with the Sons. But when you go after the president’s wife, it’s a wrap. Shit, he needed to stop calling Tara his wife. Of course he’ll always love her, but he doubted he’d get another chance from Mina if he slipped that up again.
Just as Jax arrived at Scoops, so did Mina. He smiled as he watched her step out of her car, her grateful movements never went unnoticed by him. Her eyes lit up as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her soft full lips against his. “Did you just get here?” She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist,
“Yeah, waiting for the rest of the guys.” He leaned in giving her another kiss, unable to get enough.
She giggled lightly as his beard tickled her face, pulling away slightly to look up at him. “Where are they?”
“Club business with the Bastards.” He nodded at the group of bikes approaching. “Looks like they’re back” he put his hand on the small of her back as the guys parked and walked over.
“Jackie boy!” Chibs approached giving him a hug, “Good to have you back too lass” He smiled as he rubbed Mina’s hair before giving her a hug.
Mina laughed as the others greeted her as well but Jax was serious. She placed a hand on his back and his face softened momentarily. As he spoke to the guys they noticed an all too familiar figure speaking with Gemma a few feet away from them. His face scrunched up in annoyance and anger as Chibs let out an agitate sigh.
“Who’s that?” Mina asked noticing the anger flickering in Jax’s eyes.
“Wendy. Abel’s mother.” Bobby answered.
“Want me to take care of this?” Chibs asked pointing towards Wendy.
Jax shook his head, “Chibs, it’s okay. I got it. I’ll meet you upstairs.” Chibs nodded his head at the others as they backed off to walk inside. Happy nudged his head for Mina to follow but she shook her head, crossing her arms to watch them.
“What are you doing here?” He said as they walked towards each other.
“I just want to talk to you.” Wendy spoke quietly, looking down at the ground before looking up at him.
“Thought you were in rehab.”
“I checked out …” she started but was interrupted by Gemma.
“I called her.” Gemma stepped forward, crossing her arms over her chest. “Thought she could help me me out with the boys.”
“Woah, woah. What?” Jax narrowed his eyes putting his hands out in front of him to stop them. “Mom, you are not taking care of those boys, they are fine where they are until Tara gets out.”
Mina heard his voice getting louder and stepped forward, putting a hand on his back. “Everything alright?”
Wendy looked confused seeing the interaction between Jax and Mina while Gemma narrowed her eyes, shooting daggers at the young woman but ignored her, trying to reason with Jax. “You know Brooke is only a child. She can’t take care of those boys for long. They belong home with me. Their grandmother.”
Mina laughed under her breath as she listened to Gemma, she could see Jax trying to hold his ground but he was never good at denying his mother. “Actually. The boys are going to stay with me until Tara gets back on her feet. Jax is at my place a majority of the time. Only makes sense the boys would be too.”
Jax looked down at her, in shock that she would offer to do this for him but he couldn’t be more grateful. He leaned down kissing her head as Gemma scoffed. “What happened to you selling the house?”
Mina looked at the woman and shrugged. “Hasn’t been sold yet.”
Gemma’s eyes narrowed dangerously at Mina but Jax stepped in. “I got to get to chapel. It’s not happening mom.” He looked between her and Wendy before throwing his arm around Mina’s shoulder, walking back towards Scoops. Once they got inside, he turned to look at Mina, taking her small frame in his arms. “Are you sure about this? What about work?”
Mina wrapped her arms around his waist, looking up at him. “Anything’s better than Gemma getting them. I have the next two weeks off work. That should be another time for Tara to be released and to get her out of here.”
He raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the counter, pulling her against him. “Where were you this morning?” He asked, his fingers playing with the belt loops on her jeans.
She looked up at him, running her fingertips through his blonde hair, “I.. uh.” She twirled her fingers in his hair, unsure of how he’d take it. “I went to go see Tara.” She spit out.
He raised both eyebrows, looking down at her curiously. “Why?”
“Because. Because I don’t trust your mother. I know how important getting the boys out of Charming is to Tara and I want to make sure she and those boys get out safe.”
He sighed, giving her hips a squeeze. “Mina, I’m not saying this again. My mother didn’t hurt Tara.”
The irritated tone of his voice caused her to roll her eyes. “I hear you sweetheart, but she’ll take advantage of this situation to get the kids. She will, then it’ll be impossible for them to get out.”
He nodded in agreement and leaned in, kissing the side of her neck. “I love you so much.”
She smiled and kissed his lips softly. “I love you, Teller. Call Brooke, I’ll head over to your house to pick them up.”
Mina drove to Jax’s house with Quinn and Montez following her. Jax made it perfectly clear she wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone. He wasn’t risking anything happening to her. Ratboy and Brooke were already aware that she was coming and started packing. She opened the door and walked inside. Abel was sitting quietly on the floor coloring while Thomas was in his playpen napping. While Quinn and Montez walked over to Rat, Brooke came over giving Mina a hug.
Brooke nudged her head over to Abel. “He hasn’t spoken much since Tara was..” She trailed off not wanting to speak of the incident.
Mina nodded, walking over to Abel and sitting down on the floor next to him. “Hey darlin’.” She softly spoke, giving his head a soft kiss.
“Hey Mina.” He replied slowly, not looking away from his picture.
She smiled sadly, running her fingers through his hair. “How are you feeling buddy?”
He shrugged his shoulders still not looking up. “Fine”
“You and Thomas are going to stay at my house for a little while honey.” She leaned her arm on the table, resting her head on her hand.
“Why?”
Mina smiled softly. “Just until your mommy gets better honey. I don’t have work for a little while and I’d sure love for you two to keep me company.”
He nodded his small head looking down sadly. “I miss mommy.”
She nodded in understanding and took a deep breath. “How about after we pack I take you to go see her?”
He finally lifted his head in excitement. “Yeah!”
She smiled and hugged him back as he threw himself into her arms. “Great, now let’s help Brooke pack all your favorite toys.”
After they packed the boys things, Mina fastened Thomas’ car seat while Abel jumped into his, buckling himself up. She and Brooke took off with the guys following.
She felt the need to prove to Tara that she was there to help, though she didn’t know why she cared. She guessed it was because she cared so much about Jax and those important to him. But in a way she had seen the darkness in Gemma’s eyes. Heard what she was capable of. And although she’d never hurt Jax’s kids, she’d be more than willing to hurt anyone who’d want to take them away. She shuddered at the thought. As much as Tara and her had their differences, she couldn’t imagine a caring loving mother being ripped away from these kids.
They walked inside the room, Abel making a mad dash for a teary eyed and surprised Tara. Mina smiled, placing Thomas’ car seat onto the chair, pulling the baby out carefully into her arms, bringing him to Tara. She let them talk and catch up while she sat down watching them interact.
Tara looked over at Mina and Brooke who were sitting quietly. After adjusting the boys on her lap, she took a deep breath to pull herself together. “Why..? Thank you, but why?” She looked between the two.
Mina looked at the boys then at Brooke, “Hun, why don’t you take the boys to the cafe. Get them something to eat.” Brooke nodded, taking Thomas in her arms as she held Abel’s hand leaving the room. “The boys are coming to stay at my house until you get out.”
“What’s wrong with our house?” Tara asked alarmed.
“They were being taken care of by Brooke. Gemma had called in Wendy and was trying to convince Jax to have them live with her. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“That manipulative bitch.” She saw the hate and anger in Tara’s eyes as she took a moment to gather herself. “Thank you, Mina. Thank you.”
“I told you I wanted to help you Tara, and I meant it.”
Jax pulled into Mina’s driveway. Where three bikes and her car were parked. He smiled at the site of the boys’ car seats in the back. It was a weight off of his shoulders knowing Mina was behind him. Helping him with all of this. Being the strong to keep him and his family together while he dealt with club business. He walked inside to see the the men sitting around her living room, Brooke doing the dishes, but no Mina.
“Where is she?” He asked as everyone turned their attention to him.
“Puting the boys to sleep.” Montez spoke up as the three of them stood.
Jax nodded taking a look around the place before looking back at the men. “You guys head out, Brooke, “ He turned his attention to the small woman coming from the kitchen. “Have Rat take you home. I need you guys here at 7, Mina wakes up really early.”
“Yeah, okay!” She nodded timidly. He said goodnight to everyone as they exited the place before heading to Mina’s spare room.
Opening the door slowly, he saw Mina laying back against the headboard with Abel laying against her side and Thomas on her stomach, while she read to them. He could feel his heart melting at the sight. She’d make such an amazing mother one day. Another sibling to Abel and Thomas. Maybe a baby girl this time around. One that looked just like Mina.
“Hey you,” Her soft voice whispering quietly snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Hey” He smiled as he made his way over to her, leaning down kissing her lips softly. “Hope they weren’t too much trouble.”
Mina kissed him back, helping him take Thomas while she slide out from under Abe. She smiled as she tucked him in, turning off the light while Jax laid Thomas down in the crib the guys brought over. He felt her arms wrap around his waist as she kissed up his back slowly. All the tension from the day leaving him as he turned around cupping her face in his hands as he leaned in kissing her lips needingly.
She returned the kiss, pecking his bottom lip once more while she held onto his hips. “There’s pizza, darlin’. Come on.” She slide her hands down his arms to his, lacing their fingers together leading him out to the kitchen. “I saved you a box. The guys already wolved down 4. Couldn’t leave you without dinner.”
Jax laughed as he followed her in, watching her pull a few slices out of the box and onto a place, heating it up for him. “How thoughtful.” He smiled. “Hope the boys weren’t too much.”
“Abel and Thomas? No. Quinn, Rat, and Montez, were a different story.” she joked pulling the pizza out of the microwave.
He laughed again, unable to stop himself while she handed him the plate. “Yeah, sorry about them.” He followed her into the living room, taking a seat on the couch next to her. While she scrolled through the list of movies on demand he took a bite. Everything felt so comfortable. Like home. The boys asleep, the house all clean, dinner, movies, and her. She was the glue that held all of this together.
He pulled her closer to him, laying her head onto his shoulder. “I love you, you know that?” he kissed her head, whispering into her hair.
Mina smiled, taking in the scent of his neck, the cologne, the leather, everything about Jax. “I love you babe.”
He laced their hands, playing with her fingers, his other arm wrapped around her shoulder. He looked down at her face so content, so at ease. After the day he’d had on his first day back to business, this was just what he needed. She was always exactly what he needed. He took a swig of the beer she had grabbed, putting his feet up on the table and watched TV, with his boys asleep, and his girl in his arms.