"Let's go see Abel." Said Avery as she and Jax left the bank and headed towards the club house. "That is if you don't have to get to work right now."

"I actually do need to get back to the club house and handle some club shit so that I'm free tonight. Gotta tie up some loose ends so that we're done with the Irish. But if you don't have anything to do, you're more than welcome to go see Abel."

After years of operating in the shadows, Jax finally reached a turning point. Two nights ago, he sat down with Avery, his heart pounding in his chest, and laid everything out on the table. He confessed the club's recent decision to pivot away from illegal arms dealing and transition into legitimate business ventures. A wave of emotions washed over Avery. Initially, she felt a pang of disappointment. The shift would inevitably mean a reduced need for her legal expertise, the kind she'd honed over years of navigating the club's complex legal entanglements. However, that fleeting concern was quickly overshadowed by a profound sense of relief and joy. The change signified a new chapter, a chance for the club to finally leave its turbulent past behind. More importantly, it meant a chance for Jax and her to explore something real, something lasting. They were finally ready to take a leap, to test the waters of a genuine relationship. Avery had spent countless nights agonizing over the precarious balance of their lives. How could they build anything meaningful when Jax was constantly flirting with danger, his actions perpetually threatening to land him behind bars? And how could she reconcile her professional duty as his legal counsel with her growing personal feelings? It had been a constant battle, an emotional tightrope walk with no end in sight. The prospect of Jax turning his life around, of him choosing a path that didn't involve constant peril, was a dream she had hardly dared to voice. Now, that dream was materializing, and the weight that had been pressing down on her chest for so long finally began to lift. The image of a future where their relationship wasn't perpetually overshadowed by uncertainty, by the threat of prison sentences and late-night raids, began to bloom in her mind. It wouldn't be easy, she knew. Building trust and establishing normalcy after years of such tumult would be a challenge. But for the first time, she felt truly hopeful. For the first time, she could envision a future where she and Jax could have a real relationship, one that was not built on secrets and the constant fear of what might happen next.

"Okay. I just need to go home and change so I can move some stuff to the house and then I'll head over and see him. I miss the little guy." Said Avery.

"I can't wait until we get to bring him home." Said Jax.

"Me either. Guess I need to start working on getting him a room straight if you and I are going to be living together huh?" Said Avery.

"You pick out what you want for him and I'll have the prospects do the work. Same goes for anything else that needs to be done at the house." Said Jax.

"I can't ask you to make the guys do that jax. You know I want to do this stuff on my own." Said Avery.

"And you can. It's not a matter of you not being able to help. It's a matter of me doing something for you since you're doing me the biggest favor of all and spending your life with me." Said Jax.

"And how am I supposed to say no when you say sweet stuff like that?" Asked Avery.

"You don't." Said Jax laughing. "So, start looking at paint samples and all so we can get started on Abel's room. Like I said, whatever you want." Said Jax.

Okay. But only because I love you so much." Said Avery.

"I thank my lucky stars for that every damn day" said Jax as he once again lifted her hand to her mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

Avery loved when Jax got sweet and romantic when talking to her. Not that she needed him to tell her how much he loved her everyday but she did like knowing that he was capable of telling her his feelings and being this open with her.

"So, where to? The club house? You're parents?" Asked Jax.

"Drop me off at moms since my car is there." Said Avery smiling at Jax.

"No problem. But call mom. She might want to go. Or better yet, see if your mom is busy. If we're gonna be together she needs to know that I have a son. Plus you're gonna need to explain our living situation sooner rather than later" Said Jax.

"She knows." Replied Avery.

"About Abel? Or that we will be living together?" Asked Jax curiously.

"She knows about Abel. She also knows why you and Wendy aren't together and understands. She doesn't blame you for not trying to make it work with her given the way that she harmed Abel." Said Avery.

"Well that's a good thing. Not that it would matter how she felt to be honest." Said Jax.

"I agree. But, she did say that she is worried that we're moving fast and that I'm attaching myself to you because of Abel." Explained Avery.

"I can see where that could cause someone to worry." Said Jax thoughtfully.

"But you know I'm not, right? You know that I'm giving this a go because I love you. I always have." Said Avery.

"I know," Jax said, his voice a low rumble, laced with understanding and a hint of amusement. He saw the anxiety flickering in her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands, and he wanted to ease her unease. He knew this wasn't just about her second-guessing herself, but about the weight of their past, their shared history hanging heavy in the air. Trying to lighten the mood, to break through the tension that had thickened between them, he leaned in closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "You just want me for my big cock," he quipped, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He hoped the teasing remark would bring a smile to her face, would remind her of their easy banter, the kind that had always come so naturally between them. He wanted to remind her that beneath the layers of their complex situation, the complications that life had thrown their way, they could still find moments of lightness and humor.

"Well that's a given." Said Avery as she turned so she was partially facing him. "But seriously, I love you for your heart. I love you for who you are. Not because you have a son that you gave a name that we picked out years ago for our first born or because of what's in your pants." Said Avery.

"I know, baby. That's what makes this so great between us. Others just see the outside appearance- the good looks and swagger- while you know the man deep inside of me that most don't." Said Jax as he pulled to a stop at the curb of Avery's parents house.

"Lucky me then huh?" Asked Avery.

"Yes, lucky you." Said Jax smiling.

"Anyways, I should go in and change so I can move some things over to the house and go see Abel. What time do you think you'll be done tonight?" Said Avery.

"Hard to tell. Are you planning on staying at the house tonight? Or at your parents? Or at the club house?" Asked Jax.

"Since the power is not on yet at the house and I can't move the beds and such on my own, I'll most likely be at moms. Unless you want me to wait for you at the club house." Said Avery.

"Totally up to you baby. Just let me know where you are tonight okay?" Said Jax.

"You know I will." Said Avery as she opened up the door to Jax's truck.

Before she could climb down, Jax pulled her in for a quick but passionate kiss. Pulling away so the kiss didn't go too far, Avery looked at him through hooded eyes before speaking again.

"Until tonight." She said.

"Until tonight." Repeated jax

"I love you." Said Avery.

"I love you too baby." Said Jax.

After shutting Jax's truck door, she watched as he headed down her street and towards the garage. When he was out of eye sight, she practically skipped to the front door of her parents, bouncing from the excitement of the day and the days to come.