💘( Healing the King! )✨

ONE

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( 🤴🔨👸💋💑🏍 )

" I figured it was time to level the playing field—besides, someone's gotta give you a run for your money in the good looks department. "

~ ALU ORTIZ to JAX TELLER 

☆《》¤

ALU'S OUTFIT 

ALU ORTIZ pulled her car into the lot at Teller-Morrow, her freshly dyed blonde hair catching the sunlight as she stepped out. It had been 14 months—14 long, complicated months—since the members of SAMCRO were arrested and sent to Stockton. Twelve months since Jax Teller had broken up with her and ripped her heart in two. And it had been 14 months since she'd last spoken to her brother. 

It felt strange, this distance between them. They'd never gone more than a week without talking before. Now, over a year had passed, and though she tried to push the hurt aside, it lingered like a dull ache.

"Moss, grab your bag," she said, her tone gentle as her seven-year-old son hopped out of the car and ran to her side. Together, they made their way toward the office, where she could already see Gemma through the glass, talking animatedly to Abel.

She didn't even make it to the door before the little boy spotted her, "Alu!" Abel shouted, his voice bright with excitement. He bolted toward her, wrapping his small arms around her waist with enough force to nearly knock her off her feet. 

Alu laughed, her heart warming at his enthusiasm, "Hey, buddy! Miss me?" she asked, ruffling his soft blonde hair.

Abel nodded fervently, clinging to her as Gemma stepped out of the office, a smile on her face. "Hey, baby," she greeted Alu, pressing a kiss to her cheek. The affection in her voice and gesture made Alu's chest tighten with gratitude.

"Hey, Gemma," she smiled warmly, pulling the older woman in for a hug, as Moss kneeled down to pick up Abel, grinning at the 2 and half year old. 

Gemma handed Alu a small backpack, "Thanks for taking him today. I've got a ton of errands to run, and it'll be a hell of a lot easier without dragging him along."

Alu waved it off, "No problem at all. I love hanging out with this little guy. And him and Moss get along great."

Gemma raised a eyebrow, "How's the new house coming along?"

"Almost there," Alu said with a tired smile. "The final renovations start next week. Can't wait to have it all finished."

Gemma nodded approvingly, "When's your next CPS check-in?"

Alu groaned, her shoulders sagging, "Two weeks. Honestly, I can't wait for these meetings to be done. I get it, but it's exhausting."

"You're doing good, sweetheart," Gemma reassured her, rubbing her arm affectionately. 

"Thanks, Gem," Alu said, pulling her bag over her shoulder. "I better get going. Come on, boys—"

"Wait," Gemma interrupted, her voice casual, though her words were anything but. "You know he's getting out today, right?"

Alu froze for a fraction of a second, but she quickly masked it, forcing a neutral expression, "Yeah, I know," she said, her voice steady, but her face betrayed her.

Gemma didn't push, just gave her a knowing look, before waving her off, "Drive safe, baby."

Alu nodded, guiding the Moss, who had Abel on his hip, toward the car. But as she buckled Abel into his seat, the weight of Gemma's words hit her. Jax was coming back. After 12 months, she would finally see him again. And no matter how much time had passed, her heart wasn't ready.

☆《》¤

Alu pulled her car into the Teller-Morrow lot again, the engine rumbling to a stop as she glanced in the rear-view mirror at Abel and Moss in the backseat. Abel had been babbling away in his own language, his energy contagious, though Alu couldn't shake the knot of nerves tightening in her stomach.

As she stepped out, the sound of cheers and laughter from the clubhouse caught her attention. Her eyebrows furrowed as she approached the building, Moss, who was clutching Abel's hand skipped ahead of her toward the familiar voices.

The moment she stepped through the door, the scene before her stopped her in her tracks. The SAMCRO boys were gathered, beers in hand, toasting their freedom. She blinked in shock as the reality hit—Jax, Juice, Tig, Bobby, Happy, Clay—they were all here. Released.

Before she could fully process the sight, Tig's voice rang out, "Well, look at what the cat dragged in!" he hollered, grinning widely as he sauntered over, his arms spread wide. "Alu Ortiz, a blondie and all. You didn't tell us you were coming to the party!"

Alu managed a weak laugh, trying to play it cool, "Didn't realise there was one," she said, her eyes darting around the group.

Tig pulled her into a bear hug, "I've gotta say, I've missed seeing your face everyday, darling," he said, pulling back to look at her, before gesturing toward the rest of the group. "Hey! Look who's here!"

One by one, the guys turned to greet her, their smiles genuine, though their faces bore the weight of the last 14 months. Clay gave her a warm nod, Happy offered a rare smile, and Bobby waved a bottle of beer in her direction.

But her gaze darted around the room, searching. Abel's excited shout pulled her attention to the other side of the room, where Jax had crouched down, arms open as Abel threw himself into his father's embrace. 

Before she could linger on the moment too long, a familiar voice pulled her back, "Hey, sis."

She turned sharply to find Juice standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. He looked older, leaner, but there was something softer in his eyes that caught her off guard.

"Juice," she said, her voice tentative.

Without warning, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. Her body stiffened for a moment, before she melted into the embrace, her arms wrapping around him tightly as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the tears that threatened to fall. 

When they pulled back, she stared at him in disbelief, "I wasn't expecting that."

Juice gave her a crooked smile, shoving his hands into his pockets, "Yeah, well...prison gives you a lot of time to think." He paused, his eyes searching hers, "And I realised something."

"What's that?" she asked cautiously.

He hesitated, then spoke with quiet sincerity, "Oscar manipulated and abused you for years. What happened to Tabitha wasn't on you—it wasn't any different from the rest of the shit he put you through."

Her breath caught, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. 

"And..." he added, his lips twitching into a small smile. "I missed you." 

Her tears spilled over as she pulled him back into a hug, "I missed you too, Ju." 

He gave her a small, hesitant smile, then nudged her playfully, "So, you gonna tell me why the hell you look like Hannah Montana now, or are we just ignoring that?"

Alu laughed, the sound breaking through the tension like sunlight through clouds as she playfully whacked his arm, "Hey! Maybe I just wanted to give her a run for her money."

Juice chuckled, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the wall between them began to crumble, piece by piece.

***

Alu sat at a corner table in the clubhouse, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her untouched drink. Moss was across the room, animatedly chatting with his tío Juice, the two of them laughing like old times. It was a sight that warmed her heart and made the weight of the last 14 months feel a little lighter.

As she glanced around the room, her eyes locked with Jax's. He was leaning casually against the bar, a beer in hand, but his focus was entirely on her. A small smile tugged at his lips, and she found herself smiling back, lifting a hand in a quiet wave; Jax returned the gesture. 

Alu furrowed her eyebrows suspiciously at Gemma, who was leaning back in her chair, watching the interaction with a small, satisfied smile, "You didn't have any errands to run, did you?"

Gemma tilted her head, feigning innocence, "Of course, I did."

Alu nodded along, her voice dripping with mock agreement, "Right. And conveniently, you just so happened to finish them just when the boys got back?"

Gemma smirked, shrugging off the accusation, "Purely coincidental, baby."

"Mm-hmm," Alu hummed, narrowing her eyes at Gemma as the older woman stood and patted her shoulder.

"Don't stay up too late," Gemma quipped, before walking off, leaving Alu shaking her head with a half-smile.

"Hey," Jax greeted, his voice soft but warm as he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. "It's really good to see you, Alu." 

"You too, Jackson," Alu replied, her smile lingering as she took in the sight of him. He looked the same, yet different—older, maybe, or just more weathered by the time spent behind bars. 

"Thanks for looking after Abel," Jax said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "My mum's been singing your praises every visit. She wouldn't shut up about how much easier it was on her because of you. She said she couldn't have done it without you."

Alu waved it off, "It was nothing, Jax. Abel's a good kid—made it easy. Besides, Gemma helped me out a lot with Moss too. She even pulled some strings to get him into that fancy-ass private school in town."

Jax chuckled, shaking his head, "Yeah, I heard about that. And you moving to Charming, buying a house with Kimchee?"

"Yeah," Alu said, nodding. "CPS thought our old apartment was too small. They wanted Moss to have his own space, so...here we are. And working at T.M. helped too. Bounty hunting wasn't exactly their idea of 'stable income.' Gemma offered me a job doing paperwork in the office, and I ended up helping out with the mechanic stuff whenever the guys needed an extra hand."

Jax smiled, a flicker of pride in his eyes, "Sounds like you've been holding it all together."

"Had to," she said simply.

He studied her for a moment, his gaze flicking to her hair, "So, what's with the new look? You trying to steal my thunder or what?"

Alu smirked, leaning back in her chair, "I figured it was time to level the playing field—besides, someone's gotta give you a run for your money in the good looks department."

Jax laughed, the sound rich and familiar, and for a moment, it felt like old times.

But their moment was cut short when the door opened, and Elliot walked in, carrying a cup in his hand. 

Alu's face lit up as she stood to greet him, "Hey, you," she said, meeting him halfway.

"Brought you this," Elliot said, holding out the latte.

She took it with a grin, "You read my mind," she said, leaning up to kiss him.

From the table, Jax watched the scene unfold, jealousy and sadness flickering across his face, before he masked it with a neutral expression.

Elliot wrapped his arms around Alu's waist, "So, I booked us all a table at that new Mexican place for dinner," he said, smiling down at her. "I know Moss said he wanted to try it." 

Her eyes lit up, "Awe, you're the sweetest," she cooed, leaning her head against his shoulder for a moment. Then, she turned back toward the others, "Alright, boys, I'm off. But don't party too hard without me."

She moved to say her goodbyes, stopping to give Chibs a hug. The older man grinned as he held her close, "See you tomorrow, old man." 

Chibs chuckled, patting her back, "Don't let that fancy dinner run too late," he said, pointing an accusing finger at Elliot, but his tone was playful. "Have them both home by nine." 

"No later than nine, got it," Elliot replied with a respectful nod. 

During the 14 months the boys were locked up, Alu and Chibs' relationship grew into something deeply meaningful. It began in the T.M. garage, where Alu's natural talent for mechanics caught Chibs' attention. He hadn't expected her to be so skilled, and when she fixed a tricky engine problem even he had been stumped by, he gave her a rare nod of approval—a silent but profound acknowledgment of her abilities.

What started as professional respect quickly blossomed into something more personal. Alu, who had never known her father, found herself looking up to Chibs in a way she hadn't looked up to anyone before. His steady presence, quick wit, and no-nonsense wisdom filled a void she hadn't realised was still aching. For his part, Chibs saw a fiery resilience in Alu that reminded him of himself. She didn't back down, didn't complain, and handled the chaos of SAMCRO life with a quiet strength that earned his admiration.

Their bond became unspoken yet deeply felt—Chibs would offer advice when she needed it, crack jokes to lighten her mood, and always watch out for her and Moss as though they were his own. Alu, in turn, became fiercely loyal to him, confiding in him about things she wouldn't tell anyone else. She cherished the way he treated her like family, not out of obligation but because he genuinely cared.

To Alu, Chibs wasn't just a mentor or a friend—he was the father she'd always longed for. And to Chibs, Alu was the kind of daughter he would have been proud to call his own: tough, smart, and with a heart that beats as fiercely for those she loves as his own. 

On her way out, she stopped by Juice, "Don't forget Ma's throwing you a welcome home party tomorrow." 

Juice rolled his eyes, "Seriously?"

Moss piped up, "You have to come! I helped plan it!"

Juice ruffled the boy's hair with a chuckle, "Alright, alright. I'll be there."

With that, Alu, Elliot, and Moss left together, the three of them looking every bit like a happy little family. Jax watched them go, his jaw tightening as the ache in his chest grew.

Gemma, who had been watching from the bar, came over, her sharp eyes narrowing at her son, "You alright?"

Jax took a long pull from his beer, forcing a casual shrug, "Yeah. I'm glad she's happy."

Gemma didn't buy it for a second, but she let it slide—for now.  

***

The house was quiet, except for the occasional creak of settling wood and the faint rustle of leaves outside the window. Moss had been tucked into bed after a long day, his little face peaceful in the soft glow of the nightlight. Alu lingered in his room for a moment, before stepping into the hallway, her heart swelling with the quiet joy of motherhood.

It had been about a year and a half since Alu officially regained custody of Moss, a milestone made possible largely due to her mother's unwavering support. Her mother had been instrumental in helping her navigate the challenges with CPS, especially during the early days when they questioned Alu's readiness to take full responsibility of Moss. Despite Moss now living with her full-time, he still spent every weekend at his Abuela's house—a tradition Alu wholeheartedly encouraged. She deeply appreciated everything her mother had done for Moss, especially as the woman who had lovingly raised him until Alu was able to step back into her role. So, Moss continuing to have a relationship with Adela was extremely important to Alu. Although, the transition to having Moss with her full-time had its struggles and required some adjusting, but Alu wouldn't trade a moment of it for the world.

In the master bedroom, Elliot was already changing into his sleepwear, his hair slightly mussed and his movements unhurried. Alu leaned against the doorframe, watching him with a soft smile. 

"What?" Elliot asked, catching her gaze as he pulled on a plain grey t-shirt.

"Nothing," Alu replied, shaking her head as she crossed the room to her side of the bed. "Just thinking how lucky I am."

Elliot chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed as she slipped into one of his oversized shirts, "Pretty sure I'm the lucky one, but go on."

She rolled her eyes playfully and climbed under the covers, pulling them up to her chin as she turned to face him. He followed suit, propping himself up on one elbow to look at her.

"Thank you," Alu said softly, her voice warm and sincere. "For letting Moss and me stay here while the house is getting renovated. I know it's been...a lot."

Elliot reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "Are you kidding? Having you both here has been the best thing to happen to this place." 

Elliot Bailey's house did in fact scream bachelor pad. 

"Besides," he added, brushing a strand hair behind her ear. "You know I'd do anything for you, Alu. For both of you."

At nearly forty, Elliot's chiselled features and impeccably tailored suits gave him a commanding presence, but it was his demeanour that truly set him apart. He exuded an old-world charm, a man of principle who valued honour, loyalty, and integrity above all else. Calm under pressure and meticulous in everything he did, Elliot was the kind of man who believed actions spoke louder than words. He could be fiercely protective and unyieldingly loyal, but never impulsive—every decision he made was deliberate and calculated, always guided by a moral compass that rarely wavered.

Despite his wealth, success, and sharp intellect, Elliot had never been married or experienced a relationship that lasted more than a few months. Not because he was a player or incapable of commitment, but simply because he'd never found someone who truly understood him—or someone he felt was worth his full devotion. For years, he avoided shallow connections, unwilling to settle for a relationship that lacked depth or sincerity.

That all changed the moment he met Alu. From the start, he saw her as someone extraordinary, someone who looked past his wealth and influence to the man underneath. She wasn't impressed by his fortune or social standing; her warmth, wit, and strength were captivating in ways he had never experienced. Elliot knew almost instantly that Alu wasn't like anyone he'd ever met before. With her, he found something he didn't even know he was searching for: someone who made him feel both grounded and inspired, someone who fit seamlessly into his world while bringing something entirely new to it.

Though he remained the epitome of composure and elegance, Alu brought out a side of Elliot that was softer, more vulnerable—a man who didn't just crave love but wanted to give it fully to the one person who had finally shown him it was worth the wait.  

Her eyes glistened with gratitude as she smiled, "Still, thank you. For everything. You've been so patient, so understanding..."

"And you've been worth every second," he interrupted, his voice firm yet tender.

Alu felt her cheeks flush as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. She closed her eyes, sinking into the comfort of the moment, feeling the weight of the day melt away.

As he pulled back, he gave her a teasing smirk, "Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow's another day of you bossing me around about paint colours and tile choices."

She laughed, nudging him playfully, "Hey! I just want it to be perfect. Moss deserves a place he can call home."

His smirk then turned into a genuine smile, "I know, baby," he murmured, pulling her closer to his chest. 

They settled into the quiet rhythm of the night, their hands instinctively finding each other under the covers. As Alu drifted off, she felt a profound sense of peace and contentment. For the first time in a long time, life felt steady—like she was exactly where she was meant to be.  

***

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