Book 1 Chapter 8

Opie

It didn't take long for Rebecca to pack her bag. Opie stood beside Jax as they watched the beauty walk around her house, grabbing items to put in her purse.

"Alright," her voice said as she walked to another room, "All that is left is to make sure my garage doors are locked." Flicking the deadbolt to the white door, the gasp that left his mouth was louder than he thought it would be. Inside her garage was a classic corvette. Walking down the steps, she began moving around items as both men stared at her car and multiple items.

"holy shit," Jax whispered, making Becca raise her head. "You have a corvette? What year?"

"Oh yeah," she said, laughing a bit as she checked the door handle before turning back, "I got it at auction a couple of years back when I first moved to California. It's 1953. It wasn't very good. The paint had chipped, and the windows were smashed. There's no damage to the frame, so I've just been working on it. I just took it and got it painted."

"It's blue," Opie's dry voice said as he stared at the car.

"Tiffany blue," she corrected with a giggle. "I got a 1956 Buick Centurion frame in storage that I'm working on after this. I got it at the same auction."

Opie couldn't take his eyes off the woman as she showed them her vintage record player and different records. "Sam says I'm a bit of a hoarder, but she's crazy clean. Like she purges anything she hasn't worn in a year."

Rebecca turned towards them, smiling as she shrugged a bit. Opie couldn't help but study her face as she spoke with Jax. Her eyes sparkled as Becca pointed out her different items. The way she said about the things she enjoyed was warm and comfortable. Opie noticed how she would scrunch her nose up when she got excited. The more he watched her, started the feeling inside that he thought died when Donna did.

Opie carried out both her bags out of the house as Rebecca made sure to lock all the doors as they left. He was still trying to wrap his head around bringing a woman home. He had tried to stay away from home when Donna first died. The feeling of uncomplete and emptiness was everywhere in that house. Opie didn't even want to bring another woman into Donna's space. However, getting Rebecca didn't seem to make him sick. It felt good. Opie's head kept trying to tell him he should be ashamed. This was the woman he had thought about when he first got out of prison. When he was holding Donna, Rebecca's laugh would be there in his mind like a guilty pleasure. Opie tried to block out the guilt of moving forward, trying to remember Gemma's words as hard as he fought with his heart and head.

"Okay, I'm cleared and ready to go." Her voice broke the war going in Opie's head as he looked up at her.

"Follow me," Opie said as he shut her car door. Walking to his bike, he put his helmet on and started his Dyna. Backing up, Jax and Opie waited for Rebecca to pull out as one got in front of her car while the other followed behind. The club was a family. They took care of their own and made sure each was safe from harm. Opie knew that no matter how good he thought he was at keeping his emotions closed off, they read aloud to the club. Especially Jax, who was his best friend from childhood till now.

He pulled up to his house, noticed his mom's car, and groaned. Opie had forgotten that his mom was picking the kids up today from school. Parking his bike under the cover, he pointed out where Rebecca was to park. Opie always had a strained relationship with Mary. While she was biologically his mother, she was never there for him. Mary had left him and his dad in charming and left for Oregon. He had spent the night with Jax the night she left. Gemma had held the preteen in her arms as Opie cried that night while Jax slept. Opie never cared what Mary thought of him or how he turned out.

"It's so pretty," Rebecca said once she stepped out of her car, both bags resting in her hands. Opie's smile was strained. He could feel, not sure why Rebecca liked the house he couldn't stand to be in most nights—walking over, he grabbed both and threw them over his shoulder before taking her hand. Opie noticed the pink that spread to Becca's cheeks at the simple act but did not comment.

Mary met them at the door, her eyes hard as they looked at Opie and the woman he brought home. Opie watched as she looked Rebecca up and down with disgust before turning towards him. "who's the tart?" That statement caused slight anger boiling in his stomach to explode in his chest as he stepped toward Mary, "you're not going to talk to her like that," he warned, his voice hard as he looked past her into the house. "Where are the kids."

Mary scoffed and rolled her eyes as she grabbed her purse and walked out onto the porch. "Up in their room, they are hungry, and lord knows you can not cook." Walking past the two, Opie couldn't help the glare on his face. Looking over at Rebecca, he noticed she had one as well.

"Well, she's friendly," the dry statement caused Opie to crack a smile as he watched Rebecca's face change to a smile.

"That would be my mother, Mary. She left when I was a kid." Becca squeezed Opie's hand at the sentiment but didn't speak. "She's just here to help me with the kids, and then she will probably leave again."

Before anything else could be said about Opie's depressing situation always seemed to get him in, he pulled Becca towards the house. "Come on. I'll give you the tour." Opie led Becca throughout the house, showing her the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and then down the hall. He pointed to the first bedroom and opened it up. "This is where you'll be staying. I had a prospect come and change the sheets while at your house, so everything is clean."

"Ope, you don't have to give up your room. I can sleep on the couch," Becca started to see Opie shake his head.

"No, I want to," Opie looked over at the brunette. His own hazel green eyes stared down into her chocolate brown. Stepping closer Opie placed a large hand between her neck and cheek. Her skin was soft as he swiped a thumb over her cheek. "I want to keep you safe, Becca. Let me."

Rebecca's hand came up to lightly grasp Opie's wrist as she nodded her head at his statement. "Okay," came the light whisper that passed through his lips.

Opie didn't know how long they had been staring at one another. All Opie could think of was how much he had missed her. However, when a bedroom door slammed, it caused Becca to jump out of his hold. Opie groaned as he walked toward the door, "Who's slamming doors?"

"Dad!" came Kenny's voice as his footsteps ran down the hall. "Ellie won't let me in her room," Kenny's voice was cut off by a girl's voice as a new set of footsteps came running.

"Daddy, no! Kenny wouldn't stop," Ellie's voice cried as both sets of twins came to stand in front of Opie, trying to plead their case on who was more guilty. Opie felt cornered. He hated when the kids mainly fought because he did not know how to handle it or fix it. Opie scratched his beard as he stared at the two kids hoping to get a word between the two bickerings.

A polite cough came from behind Opie, causing the arguing to stop. Opie turned around and noticed Becky smiling at the twins, "I think the best thing to do is keep our hands to ourselves."

"Ms. Becky!" came two shouts as the twins passed by Opie to hug the brunette's legs. Opie's breath caught in his throat as he heard the giggles from the three.

"What are you doing here?" Ellie had always been the curious one out of the two.

Opie didn't think of what they would tell the twins why she was there with them—kicking himself at the lack of response, knowing that his brain worked better than this.

"I'm having some problems with my house right now, and your dad said it would be okay if I came and stayed here for a bit until things get fixed." Opie could kiss her. Her reasoning was simple, and he watched as Ellie accepted it quickly enough. "Are you both okay with that? I don't want to do anything that makes you both uncomfortable."

"I'm okay with it," Kenny's words came out fast as he gripped her waist tighter. Ellie nodded and followed suit with her brother in the hug. It was sweet, but Opie wasn't sure he knew how to process all the changes within his family.

"Awesome," Rebecca said as she looked up at him and then back down at the kids, "I was thinking if your daddy didn't mind, I could cook you guys dinner."

Opie opened his mouth to protest. She didn't need to cook them dinner. He also was mentally scanning to see if they even had anything to cook for dinner. Donna had taken care of many things resting on Opie's shoulders. Rebecca quickly cut him off, "I want to."

Opie walked behind as his children led Rebecca to the kitchen by both hands, talking loudly about their day at school. Opie was surprised at how easy it was to watch another woman there, in his hope, hanging with his kids. The sensible part of his mind told him that it would be more challenging if it weren't Rebecca if it were any other woman. The brunette seemed to have breathed a bit of life back into the house as he watched the kids laugh and giggle at the jokes made.

There was indeed a lack of food in the fridge. However, Rebecca was able to find a pack of frozen chicken and some potatoes in the pantry. Opie felt the need to apologize for his carelessness, but she never gave him the opportunity.

"After work tomorrow, I'll run by the store to pick up some stuff," Becca asked. "There is a farmers market close to the office on the square to swing by." The words came out like butter, easy, and calm.

"Oh! Can we come?" Kenny's voice asked from his seat at the table.

Rebecca looked up at him with a smile before looking at Opie, "If your dad says it's okay, then sure. I'll be at the school tomorrow anyway."

Opie felt like a deer in headlights. He cleared his throat between the three of them before leaning up, "would you want to?"

"Yeah," Ellie said softly, shrugging her shoulders. The twins were different, and when Kenny was rambunctious, Ellie was calm.

"uhh, yeah, sure, I guess that would work," Opie nodded absentmindedly. "You just have to get your homework finished." Opie thought they were going to complain, but neither one did. They both took off, running to their backpacks.

Dinner was excellent. It had been a while since Opie and the kid had sat down and ate something home-cooked. Opie kept silent as he watched his kids talk animatedly about recess.

"How did you do on your spelling test, Ellie?" Rebecca asked. Opie was confused as he looked over at his daughter as well.

Ellie signed as she looked down at her plate, "okay, I guess. It was hard."

"Yeah, you told me the last time we talked," Becca said as she lifted some food to her mouth. "Maybe I can look at it and help you."

"Really? yay!" Looking at her with wide eyes, Ellie said, "Cause daddy is bad at spelling."

"Hey!" A fit of giggles filled the kitchen once more.

Opie had to admit that nighttime was easier with Rebecca. He could get the kids' teeth brushed and dressed in the pajama and bed before 9:30. After getting Ellie down, he walked back into the living to find Rebecca sitting on the couch, smiling at him. Opie sighed and slumped down beside her. He was tired but didn't want to go to bed, knowing he would have to leave her side.

"You're a good dad Ope," her voice was calm as she watched him, pulling her legs up on the couch. "I got something for you," she said, giggling a bit as she stood up and walked away. Opie wanted to say he was a gentleman and kept his eyes to the floor, but then he would be lying. She came back not too long after with something orange in her hands. Opie couldn't help the laugh that passed his lips as he noticed the Reese package. Opening it up, she handed him one and took one for herself.

"Wanna tell me what happened?" The gentle tone in her voice brought him back to when they were in Chino, the smell of peanut butter and chocolate flooding the room as they spoke.

"I fucked up," were the first words out of Opie's mouth. "Donna wanted me out. She didn't want me a part of the club. She gave me a request, and I accepted it, so I tried to stay away from the club. I got a job at the lumber yard right out of Chino, working for shit pay, but I was earning straight." Opie sighed as he looked over at Rebecca. She just sat there listening to him eating her peanut butter cup. "I couldn't stay away. The club, SAMCRO, was all I had ever known. My dad was one of the first nine, my calling. and I got her killed."

Opie felt her hand on his shoulder as he completed his story, "how did you get her killed? Were you there?"

"No,"

"Did you request it or do something to cause it."

"No,"

"Then how did you cause it, Ope? It was horrible, but it was not your fault and burden to carry."

Her words sounded good, but the guilt still lay inside him that his involvement with his club killed his wife.

"It's going to take time, but don't ever think that you're not a good father or was a good husband. You have needs and wants too." Rebecca's laid her hand on his wrist. It was warm and felt pleasant on his skin. It just wasn't enough. In one silent move, he laced their fingers together.

"I've been trying to keep myself busy," Opie explained as he stared down at their hands. "everyone just kept giving me these pitied looks. I just had to leave. I needed time to figure out what I was going to do. But I had to leave the kids behind, so everyone looked at me like a bad dad. I am, I know I am. I spent five years in Chino. I don't know how to take care of kids. I try, but then they are arguing, or they need help with their math, and it's like my brain shuts down." Opie let a puff of air out as he stared up at the ceiling. "Now I know how Donna felt to be left alone with two kids and no help. I don't know if I can do it. I don't have this."

The feeling of defeat ran inside Opie as he closed his eyes, willing the tears that threatened to prick his eyes.

"You don't have to do this alone. I know that big bad bikers like to act invincible and are not allowed to feel weak or need help. But you have people who would be willing to help you in any way possible. All you need to do is swallow that pride enough to ask for it."

Opie opened his eyes. Rebecca was there. She sat with him as he spoke about his dead wife and how crappy a father he was, and she didn't run. He laid out the crap show that has become his life and held his hand. He stared into her eyes that held so much compassion and warmth that Opie could not pity inside.

"Will you help," Opie whispered, feeling vulnerable in his request until Rebecca raised their linked hands and kissed his top, holding it close.

"Absolutely."