Two years had gone by since the boys had gotten patched it. They were no longer the fresh faced high prospects – they were full grown men. They’d even grown out their beards and bulked up to prove it. Of course they were still kids at heart since Jax and Opie would always argue about whose beard was fuller (Opie’s of course) but some things would never change.

They’d been thrown into regular rotations for runs. Opie would always volunteer just for the extra money to support Donna and almost two year old Ellie, but Jax was there because Clay was conditioning him to eventually take over the president’s seat. He and hard would be in the ring every free moment to ensure they were always well prepared. He would be sat with the presidents of visiting Charters and Clay would test him with important decisions which he’d so far passed.

Harley’s head rested on Jax’s shoulder, her arms wrapped tightly around him, holding for balance. After some back and forth, she had agreed to let Jax blindfold her with a bandana for a surprise. He wasn’t going to risk let her drive and missing the look on her face.

Slowing the bike to a stop, I loosened her grip on my shirt and stepped off the bike, grabbing her by her waist to lift her off and set her on the ground. Putting her in position, I lifted the bandana off of her eyes and watched as they flitted open, adjusting to the sunlight. For a moment, her face washed blank in confusion as she stared straight ahead, like her brain couldn’t turn fast enough to take in the information in front of her.

Then, every muscle of her body froze before a wide smile stretched across her face.

“Is this -” She asked, not even able to finish her sentence as she turned her head to look at Jax.

“Welcome home, baby.” He smiled, holding out a key for her.

Kennedy had been looking at this house for months. It was a white, two story california bungalow style house, nestled in the center of a cul-de-sac. It was perfect for us. Two car garage, three bedrooms, a fireplace, a finished basement and a large backyard with a tree made for a treehouse. She’d hard her heart set on it.

Staring at it intensely, she took the key, before her eyes met his. “I thought you said we couldn’t afford it?”

He laughed, shrugging his shoulders and shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “The deal went through a couple of weeks ago. Money started to come in. I used it as a down payment. Seller took the cash no questions asked> It’s ours babe.”

“Really?” She asked, her eyes lighting up as if she still didn’t believe him.

“Really.”

“Oh my god!” She squealed, throwing her arms around Jax, damn near knocking him over. “I love you! I love you I love you!”

He laughed, returning her kiss before she bolted inside. Jax followed her in, reviewing the papers the broker had left on the kitchen counter while she explored upstairs.

They both knew they’d outgrown their apartment. This house was a little farther from the clubhouse but it was perfect to raise a family in. That was the goal. Him and Harley, kids, a dog, and a house with a white picket fence.

“I can’t believe you did this!” She yelled, coming back down the stairs.

“Well believe it babe.” He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist as she curled into him. “Got the rest of the day off. You wanna go get some packing supplies or something?”

“Yes!” She nodded excitedly before biting her bottom lip, her nails sliding their way down the front of his shirt to his belt. “But first …”

---

 

In a few short weeks, Harley had turned the house into a home. Each room had been furnished for comfort. Pictures of them and the club lined the walls. With the change in seasons she’d gone out to buy decorations like she did every year since they’d started living together. Flowers in autumn colors were set as centerpieces. Pumpkins were placed on the front stairs. A fall wreath on the front door. Lights were wrapped around the front columns.

As beautiful as the house had been when they’d bought it, it was nothing compared to what she’d done with it. The older she’d gotten to more refined she was becoming. Regardless of how deadly she could be, you’d never be able to tell by looking at their home.

Opie and Jax walked inside to the smell of fresh apple pies. Following the smell to the kitchen they found Harley pulling one out of the oven with two already on the island. She bumped the door with her leg to close it before carefully placing the pie next to the other two.

“Smells fuckin’ amazing.” Ope grunted, walking over to the pies.

Harley slapped his hand away, moving the pies further from him. “Reach again and you’ll lose that hand. These are for dinner at Marla’s tomorrow night. I’ll be at the shop most of the day, won’t have time to make anymore beforehand.”

Jax wrapped his arms around her from the back, kissing her neck softly. “You ready to go? Everyone’s already at the fair.”

“Yeah.” She nodded.” Just need my shoes. I’m not kidding, either one of you touch those pies, you’re dead.” She narrowed her eyes, pointing an oven-mitted hand at them.

“Yes’mam.” They laughed watching as she walked upstairs.

The sun had set over Charming and the fair was well underway by the time they arrived. It was an excuse for the whole town to let their hair down and have fun. This was also one of the few times Gemma hadn’t been in charge of a booth otherwise the entire club would be forced to work.

Volunteers in yellow vests directed them to park near the rest of the bikes where Warrior prospects were standing guard. Jax and Op parked in line and he waited for Ken to get off the bike before he did, then threw an arm around his old lady, walking with her through the crowd.

Everywhere you looked there were painted faces. Booths lined the grass. A giant bonfire was lit in the middle where people hung around for warmth. A live band played on stage and music came from speakers mounted up on trees while string lights hung overhead to light up the dance floor.

They found the rest of the club near the stage. Donna was talking to Jen, Kozik’s old lady. Luanne was tucked under Otto’s arm while Gemma was tucked under Clay’s, the four of them talking amongst themselves. Juice and Chibs were talking to Bobby and Tig, obviously fucking around while stuffing their faces with fried dough.

“Look who finally decided to show up.” Gemma pursed her lips, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Come on, Gem. Can you lay off the shit for one day? I  spent half the fuckin’ day peeling apples for the pies you wanted.” Harley retorted.

Gemma softened her approach, “Fine, I guess I can let it slide this once.”

“Anyone thirsty?” Jen asked, breaking apart from her conversation with Donna.

A few of them raised their hands and Harley kissed Jax before letting me go. “I’ll come with.” She said, before her and Donna followed Jen towards the bar tent.

Kozik came over, throwing an arm over Jax’s shoulder, a wide shit-eating grin on his face as the other guys came to join them.

“Tonight’s the night, brother. You got it?”

“Yup.” I nodded.

“You look nervous. You nervous?” Juice asked.

That – Jax didn’t have the answer for. Nervous was an understatement.

He opened his mouth but the words wouldn’t come out. He looked over to see the girls had taken a detour, dancing to the country song the band had started playing. Harley was glowing under the warm lights. They reflected in her blue eyes, making them glisten against her skin. The three of them laughing and dancing, he watched as she twirled to the music, her smile lighting up her face, her cheeks flushed pink from laughter.

She stood out in any setting.

He’d known her for a lifetime and not once did she fail to make him nervous. He could hardly breath being in the same room as her. She had that effect on a lot of people, they never hesitated to stop and stare at her for a while, but she never paid anyone else any mind. She was all mine. Always.

“He’ll be fine.” Op patted Jax’s back proudly.

“Otto know?” Tig laughed, crossing his arms over his chest?

“Got his blessing last week.” He answered, not ripping his eyes away from her.

His eyes met with the lead singer of the band, and he gave the guy a nod. Taking his cue, when they finished the current song, the pace of the music turned slow and the band started singing the lyrics to Can’t Help Falling In Love.

Harley’s eyes immediately flew to Jax’s and not suspecting a thing, she held out her hands for him to join on for a dance on the floor. Her smile growing wider as he made his way, his fingers roaming over the velvet box in his pocket.

He could recall the exact moment he fallen in love with her. She was seven and he was nine. Gemma had brought him to the clubhouse after his dentist appointment and she was singing that very song at the top of her lungs, dancing around the empty bar while Luanne made sandwiches in the kitchen.

Even then Harley was always causing some sort of trouble. He hadn’t know what those feelings were when he was a kid, all he knew was that he always wanted to be around Harley.

That had never changed.

They’d been through everything together. Shit with the club, our family, the fights. Harley was his rock before the thought of the two of them being in a relationship crossed his mind. She was tough. She was loyal. She’d thrown herself in front of a bullet, literally and figuratively, more than once for him. She deserved a ring. A white dress. A fancy reception. She deserved the world and he’d die trying to give it to her.

He took her hand in his, wrapping the other around her waist. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes looking into his as he moved them slowly to the music, praying she couldn’t feel his heart pounding out of his chest.

The smell of her perfume. The look of love and admiration in her eyes. The feel of her skin against mine. The smile on her pomegranate pink lips. He took it all in, unsure of what he’d ever done to deserve her but he wasn’t going to let her go.

“You love me, Harls?” He whispered against her temple.

“With every fiber of my being.” She returned.

She did. It’d been proven time and time again.

With the song coming to an end, he slid his hands down her arms, getting down on one knee. Her eyes widened to twice their size as she watched him pull the box from his pocket, opening it to show the ring.

“Then, will you marry me?”

“Oh my god!” Marla gasped.

“Oh my god!” Luanne echoed.

“Say yes, babe.” He begged. “I want you to have my last name. I want you to have my kids. A little girl with blonde hair and freckles on her nose just like yours.  I want a boy that I can throw a football with. I want a dog that can keep watch whenever I’m not around. I want to grow old with you Harls. I want it all with you. I’ve loved you from the moment we met and I’m going to love you until my last breath so please … just say yes.”

Her eyes had welled up hearing his anxious rambling and she nodded her head.

“Yes.” She whispered, unable to find her voice. “Yes!”

Everyone clapped around them. A weight lifted off of Jax’s shoulders and he stood, lifting her up into his arms, spinning them around. Her arms wrapping around his neck as she held onto him, tears soaking into his shirt.

“I’m going to take such good care of you babe, I promise. I’ll be every bit of the man you deserve. I fucking swear it to you.” He whispered, digging his head into the crook of her neck. “It’s just you and me, baby. Till the end.”

“You and me.” She repeated with a shaky voice. “Till the end.”