💘( Healing the King! )✨

THREE

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" I chose you, Elliot. I chose you a year ago when Jax Teller broke my heart, and I've chosen you every day since. Going home with you...wasn't just a way to escape the mistake I made—it was because I knew where I belonged. With you. "

~ ALU ORTIZ to ELLIOT BAILEY

☆《》¤ 

GUEST STARRING 

Ian Somerhalder as Lucas Gilmore

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THE WARM WATER CASCADED OVER ALU'S BODY, mingling with the tears streaming down her face as she pressed her forehead against the cold tile wall of the shower. Her chest heaved with silent sobs, her heart heavy with guilt and regret that seemed to weigh her down more than the steam-filled air around her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the vivid memory of Jax's hands on her body, his mouth on hers, the way her body had betrayed her heart. It had felt so good—too good—and that was the worst part. A single moment of weakness, a fleeting return to what once was, had shattered the stability she'd worked so hard to build.

Elliot's face flashed in her mind—his warm smile, the way he looked at her like she was the only person in the world, how he made Moss laugh with his silly impressions—made him feel loved and understood with his endless patience. He had given her a sense of peace she hadn't known before, and she'd repaid him by cheating on him. 

Her hands curled into fists, and she bit her lip to stifle the sob that threatened to echo in the tiled room, "You're better than this," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling as the guilt tightened its grip on her heart. But was she? The way her body had responded to Jax made her question everything. She hated herself for how much she had craved him, for how her heart and body had been at war.

She sank down to the shower floor, pulling her knees to her chest as the water pounded against her back, "He can't find out," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of water. "I can't hurt him. I won't."

She thought of Moss, asleep in his bed just down the hall. Elliot had become a father figure to her son, something she never thought she'd see. If Elliot ever found out what she had done, it would destroy everything—her relationship with him, her son's sense of security, and the fragile hope she'd dared to have for a better future. 

Her tears came harder now, her body shaking as the conflict tore at her. Part of her wanted to shut it all out, to pretend it hadn't happened, but the other part—the part that remembered every kiss, every thrust, every whispered word from Jax—made that impossible.

She didn't know how long she sat there, letting the water run cold, but as she finally stood and shut off the shower, a single thought echoed in her mind: 'I can't let this ruin me. I can't let this ruin us.' 

***

Elliot sat at the corner table of the bustling café, nursing his coffee as he waited for his best mate, Lucas, to arrive. The café was lively, with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional clatter of dishes filling the air. He glanced out the window, lost in thought, until Lucas slid into the seat across from him, a grin on his face.

"Hey, mate," Lucas said, placing his cup on the table. "Sorry I'm late. Work's been a bloody nightmare. How're things with you?"

Elliot offered a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, "Busy as always, but, you know, that's life."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, "And how's Alu? You've been quiet about her lately. Everything good?"

Elliot sighed, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his cup, "It's...complicated, man."

Lucas tilted his head, concern flashing across his face, "Complicated how?"

Elliot hesitated, his jaw tightening as he struggled to find the words. Finally, he exhaled and said, "I caught her...with her ex."

Lucas blinked, stunned, "Wait. You're saying she cheated on you with the biker dude?" 

Elliot nodded, his expression calm but weary, "Yeah. I walked in on them."

Lucas sat back, running a hand through his hair, "Jesus, Elliot. I don't even know what to say. That's...that's massive. What did you do?"

Elliot shrugged, his tone steady but tinged with disappointment, "What could I do? I didn't yell, didn't lose it. I just...walked away." 

Lucas shook his head, "Mate, you've got every right to be angry. That's the ultimate betrayal."

Elliot's gaze dropped to his coffee, "Of course I'm hurt—more than I can even put into words. But anger? I don't know, Lucas. I can't seem to muster it. Not at her, anyway."

Lucas frowned, "Not at her? What about him? Her ex, right? What kind of man does that, knowing she's with you?"

Elliot's jaw clenched briefly before he replied, "Yeah, I've got a few choice words for him. It's disrespectful, to put it mildly. But Alu...she's the one I'm in a relationship with. And I know she's not perfect. Hell, I'm not perfect. But it's not just about her."

Lucas leaned forward, his tone softer now, "You're thinking about Moss, aren't you?"

Elliot nodded, a faint smile breaking through the tension, "That boy's everything to me. He's not mine by blood, but he might as well be. I've watched him grow into a mature, smart young man over the past year. Taught him how to ride a bike, helped him with his homework." 

Lucas' expression softened, "So, what are you going to do?"

Elliot leaned back, running a hand over his face, "That's the thing. I don't know. Trust is everything, and right now, it feels shattered. But I love her. I love Moss. This isn't just about me—it's about the family we've built. I need to figure out if we can come back from this or if it's a line that can't be uncrossed."

Lucas studied him for a moment before saying, "You're a better man than most, Elliot. Just...don't let her walk all over you. Love's important, but so is self-respect."

Elliot nodded slowly, "I know. That's why I haven't made any decisions yet. But I'll tell you this—I won't let Moss pay the price for this mess. He deserves stability, no matter what happens between me and Alu."

Lucas reached out, giving his shoulder a firm squeeze, "Whatever you decide, I've got your back, mate. Always."

Elliot offered his friend a faint but grateful smile, "Thanks, man. I'll need it."  

***

Alu sat curled up on the couch in Elliot's apartment, the oversized sweatshirt she wore swallowing her frame as she nervously picked at her fingernails. The knock on the door startled her, and she hurried to open it. Lyla and Ima stood on the other side, concern etched on their faces.

"What's going on?" Lyla asked, stepping inside and eyeing Alu's dishevelled appearance. "You sounded like you were falling apart on the phone." 

"Yeah, babe," Ima added, kicking off her heels as she followed Lyla into the living room. "What's the deal? I was halfway through a shoot when I got your SOS."

Alu closed the door behind them, her stomach twisting with guilt, "I...I did something," she said, her voice shaky as she sank back onto the couch.

Lyla sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "What happened, Alu? You're scaring me."

Alu stared down at her lap, her voice barely above a whisper, "I slept with Jax...at your wedding."

The room fell silent, tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Lyla's lips parted in shock, while Ima raised her eyebrows and let out a low whistle.

"Wow," Ima said, breaking the silence. "That's a plot twist."

"I'm a horrible person," Alu said, her voice cracking as tears spilled down her cheeks. "I ruined everything. I hurt Elliot. And Jax...God, I'm so selfish."

"Oh, please," Ima waved a dismissive hand. "Have you met me? You're talking to the queen of questionable decisions."

Lyla nodded her head in agreement, "You're not a horrible person, Alu. You made a mistake. A big one, yeah, but that doesn't mean you're evil or irredeemable."

Ima leaned against the armrest, smirking faintly, "Look, I'm not saying it's ideal, but you're only human." 

Alu sniffled, looking up at them with tearful eyes, "It's more than that. I know I want to be with Elliot. He's kind, stable, and amazing with Moss. But Jax...he just has this hold on me I just can't shake." 

Ima shrugged, her tone casual, "Maybe you just needed to get it out of your system. Have one good fuck to break the spell and finally move on."

Lyla hesitated but eventually nodded, "Honestly, Ima might have a point. You've been through so much with Jax, and seeing him again could've reopened old wounds...But," she added firmly. "You need to tell Elliot, Alu. He deserves the truth."

"Absolutely not," Ima interjected, shaking her head. "That's the last thing she should do. Do you really think he'll stick around after hearing she banged her ex at a wedding? He'll run as far as he can away from her and her son." 

Alu buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed, "I don't know what to do. I don't want to lose him, but I can't lie to him either."

Lyla reached over, gently rubbing her back, "Take some time to figure it out, but don't sit on it forever. Secrets have a way of coming out, and if Elliot finds out from anyone but you, it'll be so much worse."

Ima nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, fine. Lyla's right about that part. But you need to be smart about how you approach it. Don't just blurt it out over dinner or something." 

Alu looked up at her friends, her heart heavy, "I feel like I'm stuck in a nightmare I can't wake up from."

Lyla gave her a small smile, "We'll help you through it. No matter what you decide."

Ima grinned, "And hey, if you need someone to slap Jax for putting you in this mess, I'm your girl."

Alu let out a weak laugh, grateful for their support, even as the weight of her choices bore down on her.

***

Alu stood in front of the dresser Elliot purchased for her to store her clothes in when she moved in. She sighed, pulling open the top drawer to grab a pair of socks, her hand brushed against something familiar yet out of place—a bundle of aged, slightly crumpled envelopes bound with a thin rubber band.

Her heart sank.

The letters.

She stared at them for a moment, frozen. The neat handwriting on the front of each envelope, Maureen Ashby's unmistakable script, brought a rush of memories she'd tried hard to forget. Belfast. The chaos. The secrets. Jax.

She picked up the bundle, her fingers trembling slightly as she flipped through the stack. Alu had carried these letters across the Atlantic, entrusted by Maureen to deliver them to Jax. But somehow, it had never felt like the right time. Too much had happened—too much pain, too much history. 

Alu sighed, running a hand through her damp hair, "Enough," she muttered under her breath.

It was time. Time to stop holding onto things that kept her tethered to Jax and the past. Time to stop making excuses.

She stuffed the letters into her handbag, shoving them deep beneath her wallet and work files. As much as she dreaded facing Jax again, this was something she had to do—for herself as much as for him.

Grabbing her leather jacket, she slung it over her shoulders, casting one last glance at the drawer, and slammed it shut.

When she and Moss stepped out of Elliot's apartment, the cool air hit her face, but her resolve didn't falter.

Today, she was putting the past behind her. And it started with finally delivering those damn letters.  

***

The low hum of activity filled the TM office as Alu sat at her desk, phone pressed to her ear, multitasking between taking notes and typing on the computer. The chaos of the garage outside seemed far removed, but the tension she carried from her earlier discovery hadn't eased.

Gemma strolled in, cigarette dangling from her lips, and leaned against the edge of the desk, "Got a light, sweetheart? Mine's out."

Alu, barely glancing up from her notepad, replied, "Yeah, there's one in my bag." She pointed toward her handbag hanging on the back of the chair. "Help yourself. Just give me a sec—need to ask Chibs about something."

Gemma gave a small nod as Alu hung up the phone and walked out of the office, clipboard in hand. Gemma grabbed the bag, pulling it toward her.

Fishing through the contents, she found the lighter buried beneath a stack of neatly folded letters bound with a rubber band. Her brow furrowed as she pulled them out, her curiosity piqued by the handwritten note attached to the top.

She read the neat, cursive script softly to herself:

Dear Jackson,

The truth about your father is in these letters. You should know John like I did.

The note was signed Maureen Ashby. 

Gemma's expression hardened. A storm of concern and suspicion flickered across her face as she scanned the envelope. She didn't have to open the letters to know they contained something potentially explosive.

Hearing footsteps approach, Gemma quickly slid the letters back into the bag, but not before tearing the note from the stack. She shoved it behind her back just as Alu walked back in, her usual no-nonsense expression softening as she caught sight of Gemma.

"Did you find the lighter?" Alu asked, returning to her desk and sitting down with a slight sigh.

Gemma turned, holding up the lighter and flicking it to ignite her cigarette, "Got it," she said, her tone casual.

"Good," Alu replied, distracted as she began typing on the computer again.

Gemma took a long drag, her sharp eyes never leaving Alu. The girl was none the wiser, immersed in her work, oblivious to Gemma's gaze.

As the cigarette smoldered between her fingers, Gemma palmed the note in her other hand, her mind racing. She exhaled smoke slowly, her suspicion growing. Whatever John had written to Maureen, it wasn't something she could ignore.

For now, though, she kept her poker face intact, watching Alu carefully, silently filing away the knowledge for the right moment.

***

The heavy oak door to the chapel slammed shut, echoing through the empty room. Clay, seated at the head of the table, looked up from the bottle of whiskey he had been nursing. His wife stormed toward him, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Without a word, she slapped a folded note down onto the table in front of him, her expression a volatile mix of fury and determination, "Found this in Alu's bag," she said, her voice cold and clipped, barely masking the anger beneath. "Along with a bunch of letters."

Clay's brow furrowed as he reached for the note, unfolding it and scanning the contents, "Letters?" he echoed, confusion written across his face.

"Maureen Ashby," Gemma spat, crossing her arms and pacing near the table. "Trying to turn my son against me. Bitch must've gave them to Alu before we left Belfast."

Clay leaned back in his chair, holding the note between two fingers. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at Gemma, "And you think she showed them to Jax?"

"Maybe," Gemma admitted, though her tone implied she was leaning heavily toward certainty.

Clay waved the note dismissively and leaned forward to pour himself another drink, "Ah, this is JT wooing pussy. Probably a bunch of love letters, some half-gay poems and shit."

Gemma wasn't amused, "Yeah, or a stack of hate," she shot back, her voice rising. "John sharing his every woe and suspicion. I'm telling you, that Irish gash is reaching across the Atlantic."

Clay took a slow sip of his whiskey, letting her words hang in the air. Finally, he set the glass down and looked her dead in the eye, "She can't hurt us. And John can't hurt us."

Gemma stopped pacing, planting her hands on the table, "John trusted her. Had a goddamn family with her. There's no telling what he confided."

Clay stood, the chair scraping against the floor as he moved to her. He cupped her face with his large hands, forcing her to look at him. His tone softened but held an edge of authority, "If this was real, it'd have blown up by now. We're good. So, don't go setting fires when there's nothing to burn. You hear me?"

Gemma tilted her head, mocking innocence, "I don't do that." She paused, her lips curling into a sly smirk. "Not all the time."

Clay chuckled, shaking his head, "That's my girl," he said, pressing a kiss to her lips, before pulling away. "I gotta go."

Gemma watched him leave, the note still sitting on the table like a ticking time bomb. She picked it up, her fingers brushing over the edges as her mind raced. Whatever was in those letters, she'd find out. And she'd make damn sure John Teller's ghost stayed buried where it belonged.

***

The sound of pacing filled the apartment as Alu moved back and forth across the living room, gnawing at her fingernails. Her breathing was shallow, her thoughts a tangled mess. She hadn't heard the door open or Elliot step inside until his voice broke through the chaos in her mind.

"Lulu," Elliot's tone was calm but laced with concern. "Is everything alright?"

She froze mid-step, her head snapping toward him. Her eyes, wide and glossy with unshed tears, gave her away instantly, "No," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Everything is not alright." She gestured toward the couch, her hands shaking. "You should sit down. I need to tell you something."

Elliot's brow furrowed as he studied her, but he obeyed, lowering himself onto the couch with a measured calm. His expression was unreadable, but Alu could see the flicker of worry in his eyes.

She stood before him, wringing her hands, her gaze fixed on the floor as she struggled to find the right words, "I...I slept with Jax," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "At the wedding."

The silence that followed was deafening. Elliot's face didn't betray a single emotion at first; he simply stared at her, as if processing the weight of her confession, "Do you love him?" he asked, his tone so steady it sent a shiver down her spine.

Alu's breath hitched, her hands flying to her face as she let out a frustrated sigh, "Eli..." she started, unable to meet his gaze.

Elliot's calm façade cracked as he stood abruptly, his voice rising, "Just tell me the truth, Lu! I deserve that much." 

His outburst made her flinch, and the guilt she'd been holding back surged forward. Her voice wavered as she tried to explain, "You knew...you knew when we got together—"

"It's been a year, Alu!" Elliot snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. "I've stood by you. I've fought for you. I've loved you and your son. And do you know what the worst part is?" His voice softened, but the pain was evident. "Coming home just now, seeing you standing in my living room...I'll be damned if it wasn't the best thing I've ever seen. Even when I'm pissed as hell, I'd rather be near you than anywhere else."

Alu's heart ached at the raw emotion in his voice. She wanted to speak, to comfort him, but he let out a heavy sigh before she could.

"Now, what kind of fool does that make me?" Elliot asked, his voice breaking.

Without thinking, Alu crossed the space between them. She straddled his waist, cupping his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her. His surprise was evident, but she didn't give him a chance to pull away, "I chose you, Elliot," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I chose you a year ago when Jax Teller broke my heart, and I've chosen you every day since. Going home with you...wasn't just a way to escape the mistake I made—it was because I knew where I belonged. With you."

Elliot's gaze softened, but his voice remained uncertain, "I see the way you look at him, Lu. It's not just a glance or a memory—it's like he's a part of you. Like no matter how much you try to hide it, your heart still belongs to him. And I can't compete with that, no matter how much I want to."

Alu shook her head, her grip on his face tightening, "My feelings for Jax are complicated; I won't lie about that. But no matter how tangled they are, they don't change the fact that it's you I want. It's you I'm trying to build a life with."

For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of her words hanging between them. Elliot searched her eyes, his own emotions warring within him. Then, without warning, he pulled her into a kiss.

It wasn't soft or tentative; it was raw, passionate, and full of desperation. Alu clung to him, her hands tangling in his hair as he stood, lifting her effortlessly. Their lips never parted as he carried her to the bedroom, his steps hurried.

When he reached the bed, he slammed her down onto the mattress, his body hovering over hers as they worked together to rid themselves of their clothes. The tension, the pain, the love—all of it poured out in their movements.

As Elliot claimed her, his touch was both tender and possessive, a silent reminder of the depth of his feelings for her. And as Alu held onto him, their bodies and hearts tangled, she vowed to herself that she would do everything in her power to make him believe her words. Because despite everything, it was him she wanted to be with. 

***

The peaceful quiet of the night was shattered by a piercing scream.

Elliot and Alu jolted awake, their hearts racing. Alu sat up instantly, recognising the voice, "Moss!" she exclaimed, scrambling out of bed. Elliot was right behind her, throwing on a t-shirt as they rushed down the hall to Moss' room.

When they opened the door, the sight made Alu's heart break. Moss was sitting up in his bed, his small body trembling violently. His breaths came in sharp, shallow gasps, his wide eyes darting around the room as if searching for something—someone.

"Moss!" Alu cried, rushing to his side. She dropped to her knees by his bed, her hands gently cupping his tear-streaked face, "It's okay, baby. It's Mami. You're safe. You're safe."

"No!" Moss wailed, trying to pull away from her touch. "He's coming! Don't let him take me!"

Alu's chest tightened as tears pricked her own eyes, "Shh, baby, no one's coming. Oscar's gone. He can't hurt you anymore." She pulled him into her arms, holding him close and rocking him gently, "You're safe here. Mami's got you. I won't let anything happen to you."

Moss sobbed into her chest, his little fists clutching at her shirt as if afraid she might disappear. Elliot moved to the bed, sitting beside them. His presence was grounding, solid, and steady.

"Moss, it's me, buddy," Elliot said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "You're at home, with me and your ma. No one's gonna hurt you. I promise."

Moss' cries began to quiet, though his body still shook. Alu kissed the top of his head, whispering soothing words as Elliot reached out, rubbing the boy's back gently.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours before Moss finally relaxed in Alu's arms, his breathing evening out as exhaustion took over.

Elliot glanced at Alu, "Let me take him," he whispered, holding out his arms.

Alu hesitated but nodded, carefully transferring Moss to Elliot's embrace. Elliot laid the boy back in his bed, pulling the blankets over him and tucking him in securely. Alu stayed close, brushing Moss' hair back from his forehead as he murmured softly in his sleep.

Once they were certain Moss was fully asleep, Alu and Elliot quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Back in the living room, Alu sank onto the couch, her face buried in her hands, "He hasn't had a nightmare like that in months," she said, her voice muffled.

Elliot sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her back, "It's probably a one-off," he offered, though the worry in his tone betrayed him.

Alu shook her head, reaching for her phone, "I need to call my mum. She needs to know about this."

Elliot nodded, watching as Alu dialed. The line rang twice before her mother's groggy voice answered, "Alu? 2 a.m. Is everything okay?"

"Mama," Alu began, her voice trembling. "Moss had another nightmare. A bad one. He thought...he thought Oscar was coming for him."

Her mother's voice grew sharper, more awake now, "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry. How is he now?"

"He's sleeping again," Alu said, glancing down the hallway toward Moss' room. "But it was awful, Mama. He was hyperventilating, shaking...I've never seen him that scared."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before her mother spoke again, "Alu, if the nightmares are back, it might be time to take him back to therapy. He's been through so much. At such a young age. He might need help processing it all again."

Alu nodded, even though her mother couldn't see her, "I was thinking the same thing. I'll call his therapist tomorrow and set something up."

"Good," her mother said firmly. "And remember, you're not alone in this. Elliot's there, and so am I. Moss is a strong boy, and he's got a strong mother."

Alu felt a small wave of relief wash over her, "Thanks, Mama. I'll keep you updated."

After hanging up, she turned to Elliot, who was watching her with a mix of concern and admiration, "We'll get through this," he said, his voice steady.

Alu managed a small smile, leaning into him, "I know. I just hate that he's still carrying all this. He's just a kid, Elliot. He shouldn't have to deal with this kind of fear."

Elliot wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, "He's got you, Lu. And he's got me. We'll do whatever it takes to make him feel safe again."

As they sat together in the quiet of the night, Alu allowed herself to believe him. Moss was strong, and with their love and support, he'd get through this—just like they all would.

***

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