"Avey, he's beautiful. And looks so much like his father." Said Paige as she stood beside her daughter looking at Abel.

"I know. It's a trip how much he looks like Jax. It's usually hard to tell who a baby this young looks like but not with Abel. There's no denying who the father is." Said Avery.

"Not at all." Said Paige.

The two stood in silence just watching Abel sleeping and listening to the steady thump of his tiny heart through the attached monitors.

"Avey," Paige began, her voice laced with a delicate blend of concern and unwavering support, "are you absolutely certain this is the path you wish to tread? Are you truly prepared for the profound commitment it entails? We're talking about more than just opening your home, darling. You would be choosing to raise a child not of your own flesh and blood, a child with unique challenges." Paige paused, reaching out to gently cup her daughter's hand, her gaze softening. "One who will have doctors' appointments stacked upon doctors' appointments, specialist visits and therapy sessions that will become a regular part of your life. It will require an extraordinary amount of patience, understanding, and resilience. This isn't a casual undertaking, Avey. This is a lifelong commitment." She turned to fully face her daughter, wanting to ensure the gravity of her words resonated deeply, her eyes searching Avey's for any flicker of hesitation or doubt.

"Mom, I'm 28 years old. I've wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. So what if he had a rough start in life. I love Jax and being with him means I'm responsible for this tiny human too." Said Avery.

"Okay." Said Paige.

"Okay? Is that it?" Asked Avery.

"You said all I needed to hear. I just needed to know that you had thought about all of this before jumping in head first." Said Paige.

"It's all I've thought about since I found out he had a kid mom. In fact, I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you that Jax and I are moving in together and he asked me to be his old lady." Said Avery.

"Oh my god, baby girl! I'm so incredibly happy for you two," Paige exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. A wide, genuine smile lit up her face as she clasped her friend's hands. "See, didn't I tell you that things would work out exactly like they were supposed to? Didn't I say that all along?" she added, a touch of playful triumph in her tone. Her eyes sparkled with warmth and affection, clearly overjoyed at the news she'd just received. It was obvious she had been a strong believer and supporter throughout whatever difficulties had been faced, and now her confidence was validated by the joyous outcome.

"Yeah. You did mom." Said Avery, unable to keep the shit eating grin off of her face that had set up shop since last night when Jax asked her to be his old lady.

"So, how soon is the wedding?" Asked Paige.

"We're not there yet mom, Jesus. We've only just gotten back together." Said Avery. Yes, she was lying to her mom by leaving out the part where Jax had asked her to marry him but she didn't want to say it aloud just yet in case she jinxed them somehow. Plus, it was said in the heat of the moment and Jax hadn't mentioned today yet. Jax's lack of mention of their heated promises to one another had Avery worried about what the future held for them. Yes, they had discussed living together and yes, she made a deal with him that their forever home would be in both of their names but Jax still hadn't mentioned his whispered, postcoital proposal.

"Well, you let me know as soon as he proposes. My baby girl deserves a wedding fit for a princess." Said Paige with tears of joy in her eyes.

"As soon as he gets down on one knee mom, you'll be the first to know.

*****

While Avery was running errands for the day, Jax was in Lodi looking for a ring. After his whispered proposal last night, he knew he needed to do this the right way. As he walked into Forevermore Jewelers, he scanned the cases looking for the ring that spoke to him. Not knowing what she liked other than yellow gold, he used his gut to tell him which to buy.
Scanning over the cases, Jax stopped when he came to a beautiful gold ring. While the diamond was fairly large, the setting was simple. Something that she could wear to court when needed and wouldn't be too flashy.

"Can I see this one please?" Asked Jax as the jeweler came over to the case Jax was standing near.

"Absolutely, sir. This is no ordinary ring, but a rather extraordinary piece, crafted with the finest metals and stones. It's truly fit for a princess, or anyone who deserves to feel like royalty. The design is quite unique, you see, with intricate details that catch the light beautifully. I'm quite confident that whichever lovely lady you choose to present this ring to, she would be utterly captivated and adore it without reservation. It carries with it a sense of history, a touch of magic, and the promise of forever."

"She deserves the best." Said Jax.

"Indeed, sir, you have exquisite taste," the jeweler began, his voice smooth and practiced. "This is a true masterpiece, if I may say so myself." He paused, allowing the statement to hang in the air, then added, "It's a piece that speaks of elegance, of timeless beauty, and it would certainly make a remarkable impression."

"Size 7 correct?" Asked Jax.

"Yes sir," he affirmed, his voice a smooth baritone, "all of our rings in the display case are a standard size 7. We find it's the most common and versatile."

Without a second thought, his voice ringing with certainty, he stated, "I'll purchase it." The exchange was swift, seamless, and carried a quiet acknowledgment that this ring possessed significance far exceeding its price.

Having completed the purchase, Jack tucked the ring into the inner pocket of his jacket and made his way to the clubhouse, intent on finishing his tasks..

*****

Having spent a delightful hour catching up with Abel, Avery and Paige decided it was time for a practical errand. Their destination? The familiar, sprawling aisles of the nearest Target. Their mission? To transform Avery's house from a simple dwelling into a cozy, well-equipped home. Paige, with her keen eye for detail and a clear vision of domestic bliss, took the lead. First on her list: window treatments. She envisioned elegant curtains gracing every window, bringing warmth and privacy to each room. Next, she turned her attention to the bedroom, suggesting a complete bedding set, perfectly coordinated to create a serene and inviting sanctuary. But Paige's ambitions didn't stop there. She believed a well-stocked kitchen was the heart of any home. Therefore, she recommended a full set of pots and pans, ensuring Avery would be prepared to whip up culinary delights. And then, her eyes lit up with a particular gleam. Paige declared that no modern kitchen was complete without a gleaming KitchenAid stand mixer. Not just any mixer, mind you, but one with all the bells and whistles: attachments for crafting homemade pasta and tenderizing meat, ready to tackle any recipe Avery might dream up.

"Mom this is way too much." Said Avery as she and Paige loaded the multiple bags into the trunk and backseat of Avery's car.

"Nonsense. These are all things you need if you are going to make the man in your life happy. You think your dad has stuck with me all these years because I keep a clean house? Hell no... he's stayed because the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Keep feeding him home cooked meals and keep a clean house and he'll be true to you until the day you die." Said Paige.

"Mom, you do realize it's 2008 now right. Not 1970. Women work full time jobs." Said Avery, clearly annoyed that her mother viewed marriage as the woman doing everything to make the man happy in order to keep him.

"I'm well aware, Avery. But you also remember that I too worked a full time job teaching at the elementary school until I retired right? I still managed to make a home cooked meal for your father and you every night." Said Paige going on the defensive.

"I remember, mom. I just don't think that keeping a man well fed and having a tidy house is going to keep them from straying if that's what they intend on doing." Said Avery.

"Are you worried Jax will stray? Is that what this is about?" Asked Paige.

"It's complicated," Avery confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of certainty and doubt. "On one hand, I know, deep down, Jax truly loves me. There's no question about his affection. But," she paused, a shadow crossing her face, "he's just so incredibly handsome. It's not just my opinion; it's a fact that women are drawn to him. They practically throw themselves at him, and frankly, it makes me uneasy. Who's to say that one of those determined women won't keep pursuing him until she catches him at a vulnerable moment? What if she manages to tempt him into a mistake? I can already picture it," she continued, anxiety rising in her voice. "What happens when I'm heavily pregnant, huge, and feeling incredibly unattractive? Nine months along, looking like a bloated Goodyear blimp, while he's still surrounded by these gorgeous, slender women? What if he succumbs to temptation then, choosing someone else because I'm not the same as I am now? It's a horrible thought, but I can't shake it. And just to be clear," she added quickly, defensive now, "before anyone suggests otherwise, I'm still protected. I haven't forgotten anything. My IUD is still in place. This isn't about that."

"Well, that's certainly comforting to hear, I suppose," Paige replied, a flicker of apprehension still evident in her eyes. "But truthfully, I'm not entirely convinced I'm prepared to embrace the title of 'Grandma' just yet. It feels a bit...premature, somehow." She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I mean, I know Jax adores me, of course. Anyone who's spent even a little time with him can see that. He's always been such a loving and affectionate boy." Her voice softened with maternal pride. "But these...these women who seem to materialize out of thin air, practically throwing themselves at him? It's all a bit disconcerting, to say the least." Paige sighed, a hint of exasperation creeping into her tone. "And they're not exactly the most refined individuals, if you catch my drift. Some of them are downright trashy, if I'm being honest." She met the other person's gaze, a spark of determination igniting within her.

"So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're going to have to draw a line in the sand. Put these... these tramps in their place so to speak. Make it clear that Jax is spoken for, and that you, as his old lady, are not someone to be messed with." She offered a small, slightly nervous smile.

"I'm a lawyer not a boxer mom." Said Avery.

"When people are pushed to the edge, they often behave in ways that are out of character. My suggestion: put a stop to those women immediately when they start flirting with him."

"And what if I'm not around? What then?"

"Then you trust your man to shut them down." Said Paige as she climbed into the car, leaving Avery standing by the driver's door, considering all she just said.