The chipped tile floor felt cold beneath Jax's bare feet as he lazily strolled into the cramped bathroom. His voice, a smooth, low drawl that hinted at a life lived on his own terms, broke the quiet. "Are you ready, babe?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. The small space, barely large enough to turn around in, was filled with the acrid tang of old cigarette smoke – a constant companion in his sparsely furnished apartment – mingling with the delicate, incongruous scent of Avery's floral perfume. A lit cigarette dangled between his fingers, the ember glowing like a defiant eye in the dim light and casting a mischievous glint on the smirk playing on his lips.

Avery stood before the steamed-up mirror, her brow furrowed in concentration as she wrestled with a few rebellious strands of hair. The humidity in the room had done little to help her efforts. She glanced at Jax in the reflection, her eyes a complex mix of exasperation and undeniable fondness. "Almost," she muttered, her voice slightly muffled as she leaned closer to the glass, scrutinizing her reflection with a critical eye. The bathroom was undeniably cramped, a testament to the apartment's modest size. A single, bare bulb hung precariously from the ceiling, casting harsh, unflattering shadows that emphasized the lines of fatigue etched around Avery's eyes. Jax, oblivious or perhaps simply indifferent to her struggles, took a leisurely drag of his cigarette, his gaze lingering on her figure in the mirror. There was a distinct casualness in his posture, an air of familiarity that spoke volumes about their history – a history that was as tangled and complex as the smoke curling from his cigarette.

"Yeah, just finishing up my makeup," Avery replied, finally offering a small, genuine smile. She met his gaze in the mirror, a flicker of something warm passing between them despite the A slightly tense atmosphere hung in the air.

"That dress looks great on you," Jax said, pulling her close, "but it means we won't be riding the bike." His embrace made it clear just how much he admired her choice.

The dress, a breezy A-line sundress of lightweight cotton, was ideal for the warm weather, though not so much for a Harley ride. Its soft, pastel floral print featured delicate pink roses, touches of lavender, and mint green leaves scattered over a creamy white background. Thin, adjustable spaghetti straps tied at the shoulders added to its charm, and a row of dainty buttons down the front lent a vintage flair. It was a dress she'd brought to North Carolina, one that embodied Southern charm.

Jax held her close, his arms tight around her. She felt the unmistakable pressure of his arousal through the denim of his jeans as she pressed against him.

"You're a fiend." She said, turning and smiling up at him. "But seriously, I was hoping we could take my car or your truck anyway. That way my hair doesn't get messed up."

"I'm really excited about this with you. Let's take the truck, don't want to ruin your hair. Plus, riding the motorcycle might lift your shirt, and, well, I'd prefer to keep that to myself." Jax said, gently sliding his hand under her skirt. "Now, let's finalize these papers so we can really make this place ours." Jax added.

"No fair. You tease me and then are in a rush to leave. That's wrong on so many levels."

"We got all night and a handful of rooms for me to relieve that ache in you baby. I promise." Said Jax, giving her his patented smile.

"Promises, promises." Said Avery as the two of them walked out of his apartment, though the clubhouse, and out to his truck parked on the lot.

On their way over to the bank, Jax asked the question he had been dying to know since last night.

"So, what would you say to me and you buying this place together? As a couple?" Asked Jax.

"I can afford it if that's what you're worried about." Said Avery, not sure why this question had caused her to get defensive.

"I'm sure you can. I just meant that after last night, it would only seem natural for you and I to buy this place together." Said Jax.

"Oh. Well, I guess you're right. But how about we do that for our forever home. Mrs. Morrow's sister's place is too small for you and I to populate the world with mini Jax Teller's." Said Avery smiling at Jax.

"You got a deal." Said Jax as he winked at Avery. "I can't wait to populate the world with you. But instead of mini me's, how about with mini you's?"

"You got a deal Teller. The world needs more girls." Said Avery as she gripped Jax's hand on top of the center console of his truck.

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"Hello Mrs. Morrow," said Avery and she and Jax walked hand in hand towards the doors of Charming Saving and Loan.

"Hello sweetheart. And hello to you too Jax. I didn't know you two knew each other." Said Mrs. Morrow.

"This is the love of my life. How are you doing Mrs. Morrow?" Said Jax.

"Of course you two would know each other." Said Avery smiling up at Jax.

"Oh sweetheart, Jax here was my paper boy when he was about eight years old. I used to love seeing his smiling face every morning delivering my paper. Also, my late nephew was part of SAMCRO before he passed at a fairly young age. You may have heard him mentioned from time to time... Clarence Morrow. Most people called him Clay even though his mother hated that he went by the nickname. He was named after our father you see and she just hated that he shortened it" Said Mrs. Morrow going on about her nephew.

"I've seen his picture on the "fallen brothers" wall of the club house. He's the one that died in a head on collision with a fire truck years ago isn't he?" Asked Avery.

"Yes. He had been smoking the devils grass and fell asleep while riding. Ran right into the fire engine that was on the way to a house fire in Lodi. The truck ended up dragging him and the bike for nearly 200 yards before coming to a complete stop." Said Mrs. Morrow sadly, her voice cracking.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry to hear that." Said Avery.

"Thank you, but it was a long time ago sweetheart. His father had warned him about smoking that reefer and riding his bike. Hard-headed boy just wouldn't listen." Said Mrs. Morrow shaking her head.

"My dad always said Clay was a good man, just stubborn as hell." Said Jax as he smiled at the older lady.

"That he was son. That he was. He loved SAMCRO. I remember the first time he came over wearing his vest. He was so proud to be part of something after coming back from the war." Said Mrs. Morrow.

"I can imagine." Said Avery.

"Anyway, enough about the past. What do you say we go get this done? "Are you ready to become a homeowner, sweetheart?" Mrs. Morrow asked, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of warmth and anticipation. She adjusted her glasses, the silver frames catching the soft afternoon light filtering through the kitchen window. A gentle breeze rustled the lace curtains, carrying the scent of freshly baked cookies.

Avery's heart skipped a beat. "Absolutely," she replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face. She glanced at Mrs. Morrow, then shifted her gaze to Jax, who stood beside her, a quiet confidence in his posture. The air hummed with the unspoken excitement of a new beginning.

******

"Congratulations Ms. Mitchell. You are now a homeowner." Replied David Skinner, the loan advisor at Charming Savings and Loan.

"Thank you, Mr. Skinner. And thank you Mrs. Morrow." Said Avery as she stood and shook hands with each of them.

"You're welcome sweetheart. I just hope you experience all the love and happiness my sister experienced over the years in that home." Said Mrs. Morrow, choking up once more.
Mrs. Morrow had gotten choked up multiple times when it came to talking about her sister. It was clear that she loved and missed her more than anyone could know.

"I'm sure I will." Said Avery smiling up at Jax.

"That's good, sweetheart," Mrs. Morrow began, her voice a soothing balm, rich with a depth of warmth and genuine affection that wrapped around Avery like a comforting shawl. Her weathered hand, adorned with a simple gold band, reached out and gently patted Avery's hand, offering a silent reassurance. Her eyes, the color of a summer sky after a gentle rain, were filled with a depth of understanding that only decades of navigating life's tumultuous seas could instill. They held a wisdom that transcended mere words, a knowing that resonated deep within Avery's heart.

"We all deserve love, my dear," she continued, her voice a melodic whisper, "it's a precious gift, something to be cherished, treasured as you would a rare gem. It's the light that illuminates our darkest days, the anchor that steadies us in life's storms. And we also deserve to live a long, full life, bursting with laughter, adventure, and quiet moments of reflection, especially with our other half, the person who makes our days brighter with a simple smile and our burdens lighter just by their presence. To share all of life's joys, the soaring highs that make you feel as if you could touch the stars, and sorrows, the quiet moments of despair that test the very fabric of your being, hand in hand, for as long as fate allows, until the very end of our days."

A simple, heartfelt, "Thank you," escaped Avery's lips, the words barely audible, yet filled with a profound gratitude. She stood there, watching as Mrs. Morrow, a picture of grace and quiet strength, walked out of the bank and towards her vintage sedan, its faded paint a testament to years of faithful service. Once the car had disappeared from view, Avery turned, her hand reaching for Jax's, and together, they walked away, leaving the quiet wisdom of Mrs. Morrow's words hanging in the air like the lingering scent of old roses.