The digital clock on Avery's nightstand glared, 11:57 PM, a near-midnight hour that painted the room in stark shadows. The sudden, shrill ring of her cell phone sliced through the silence, dragging her abruptly from a profound slumber. Her dream, vivid and heart-tugging, evaporated like mist. It had been populated by images of cherubic little boys, each with soft, blonde curls and eyes the color of a sun-drenched sea, each an echo of the beloved SON she cherished. Disoriented and still half-asleep, she reached blindly for her phone, knocking over a small stack of books in the process. Her fingers brushed against the smooth, cold surface, and she fumbled to grasp it. The screen lit up, a blinding beacon in the dimness, causing her to squint and shield her eyes. After a moment of bleary adjustment, the caller ID swam into focus. Jax. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her, surprise mingling with a flutter of apprehension. Why was he calling so late? Her heart gave a small, involuntary thump as she hesitated for a fraction of a second, then slid her finger across the screen to accept the call.

"Hey." Said Avery sleepily.

"Hey." Said Jax. Avery could tell immediately that something was wrong. Not knowing if it was a legal issue or something else, she waited with baited breath for Jax to start talking again.

"I know it's late," Jax's voice trembled with panic, echoing through the quiet room. "But is there any way you can get over to Saint Thomas? It's Abel. I'll explain as soon as you're here. Just... Please hurry. I need you, and so does Abel." His words were rushed, disjointed, each syllable heavy with urgency. The tremor in his voice sent a shiver down Avery's spine. Whatever was happening, it was serious.

"Yeah, sure," Avery replied instantly, adrenaline coursing through her. She was wide awake now, the sleepiness completely vanished. Bolting upright in bed, she kicked off the covers and reached for her suitcase, which was always half-packed these days, ready for any emergency. Her mind raced with possibilities, none of them good. What had happened to Abel? What was so urgent that Jax needed her there immediately, in the middle of the night?

"Alright. Please drive carefully. I love you with all my heart," Jax said, a hint of anxiety lacing his voice. Avery didn't have to see him to know that his words were spoken while he clutched his phone tightly, as if holding onto Avery's words could somehow keep her safe.

"I love you too, baby. Don't worry so much. Everything is going to be alright," Avery reassured him, her voice gentle yet strong even if she wasn't sure exactly what was going on. She could sense the worry in his tone and wanted nothing more than to ease his mind.

"I really hope so," Jax whispered, almost to himself, before finally pressing the end call button. He stared at the black screen, his brow furrowed with worry. The silence of the room suddenly felt heavy, amplifying his unease.

With a sigh of exasperation, Avery flung her phone onto the plush surface of the bed, the digital thud echoing slightly in the otherwise quiet room. She wasted no time; every second felt precious. A whirlwind of movement followed as she shed her previous attire and hastily donned the first comfortable ensemble she could snatch from her travel bag. Practicality reigned supreme as she tugged on a soft cotton top and leggings, ensuring freedom of movement. Kicking her feet into her trusty Converse sneakers, she quickly laced them up, a familiar ritual providing a small sense of grounding. Her hair, a cascade of unruly strands, was swiftly gathered into a messy but efficient bun atop her head. With a final check in the mirror – a mere formality as urgency drove her forward – she bolted from the bedroom.

Her footsteps echoed through the familiar hallways of her parents' house as she raced towards the front door, flinging it open and practically leaping into her awaiting car. The engine roared to life as she turned the key, tires screeching slightly as she backed out of the driveway.

The route from her parents' abode to her destination was usually a short and uneventful one, a mere fifteen-minute drive. Tonight, however, time seemed to warp and stretch, each minute dragging on with agonizing slowness. A gnawing worry settled in her stomach, a knot of anxiety tightening with every mile. Her mind was a frantic whirlwind of concern. Abel, sweet, innocent Abel, filled her thoughts. What if something was wrong? What if he needed her? Then there was Jax, the man she loved, whose strength and composure were often her anchor. Yet, she knew the depths of his devotion to Abel, the vulnerability that lay beneath his stoic façade. If anything were to befall the little boy, she feared Jax's world would shatter. His controlled exterior would crumble, replaced by a raw, untamed grief. And then, if she were to peel away the layers of denial and be brutally honest with herself, she knew her own heart would break. Abel had, in such a remarkably short span of time, woven himself into the very fabric of her life. He wasn't just Jax's son; he was becoming her own, a precious piece of their shared future. The future they were so carefully, so tentatively, beginning to construct. A future filled with love, laughter, and the joys of building a family. Abel was a cornerstone of that future, a bright, shining light illuminating the path ahead. The mere thought of anything happening to him sent shivers down her spine and a cold wave of fear washing over her. It would be more than just a setback; it would be catastrophic, a devastating blow to everyone who held a stake in that bright, little boy's life. Everyone who loved him. Everyone who dared to dream of a future where he was at the very center.

The moment Avery's tires screeched against the asphalt, finding that precious parking space was a frantic rush, she slammed the car into park, the engine still sputtering slightly, and practically leapt out. The metallic click of the lock button was barely registered as she turned and sprinted towards the towering, sterile facade of the hospital's main entrance. Her breath hitched in her throat as she burst through the sliding glass doors, the automatic whoosh seeming to amplify the chaotic thumping of her heart.

The hospital's interior was a maze of corridors, brightly lit but somehow still dim, smelling of antiseptic and quiet desperation. Uncertainty gnawed at her. NICU. That's where she needed to be. Every step felt like a mile as she navigated the turns and bends, the signposts blurring slightly in her anxious gaze. Finally, she saw it: the double doors leading to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

As she pushed through, the sight that greeted her was a tableau of palpable tension. The small waiting room was filled with the familiar, formidable presence of most of SAMCRO. They were all there, slumped in the harsh plastic chairs, faces etched with worry. The usual bravado and easy camaraderie were gone, replaced by a shared, heavy silence.

Jax, however, was a whirlwind of restless energy. He was pacing the narrow confines of the room, each step measured in frustration and anxiety. His hand repeatedly went to his hair, tugging at the strands as if he could physically wrench out the worry coiled inside him. The sight of him, so usually composed and in control, now so obviously distraught, pierced Avery's heart with a sharp pang.

"You made it." Said Gemma, relief evident in her tone.

"Yeah. What's going on?" Avery managed to ask before Jax wrapped her in a tight hug and buried her face in her neck. Avery wrapped her arms around him and ran her hands up and down his back, whispering words of encouragement to him.
Not sure what else to do, she looked at Gemma, imploring her to tell her what was going on. Gemma got the hint and started in on what was happening. "They were fixing the tear in Abel's belly tonight. While they were doing the surgery, his heart gave out. They're doing everything they can to fix his heart but they aren't really optimistic that he will pull through given the severity of his condition." Said Gemma as tears slipped down her face.

Avery felt the unspoken grief and pain that Jax had been holding back for so long as it erupted. A shudder racked through him, and a raw, heart-wrenching sob tore through his body, a sound that seemed to shatter something inside both of them. It was a deep, guttural cry that spoke volumes of the loss and sorrow he had been silently enduring. The intensity of it overwhelmed him, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably. Avery immediately reached out, attempting to support him, but his weight and the sheer force of his emotion were too much. The two of them slowly sank to the floor, their bodies finding an unexpected equilibrium in the midst of the emotional storm. Even as they fell, Avery remained steadfast, her arms wrapped securely around him. She continued holding him close, her hands gently stroking his back in slow, comforting motions. The rhythmic touch was meant to soothe, a silent offering of support and understanding. Seeing Jax so utterly broken, his usually stoic facade completely crumbled, brought on her own flood of tears. Avery's heart ached for him, and her empathy fueled a wave of sorrow within her. The sight of his vulnerability, his usually guarded emotions now laid bare, mirrored her own pain and created a poignant, shared moment of grief.

"Abel's a fighter. He's gonna pull through this. He has to pull through this." Whispered Avery to Jax when she finally got her sobs under control.

"You don't know that." Said Jax as he leaned back and looked her in the eyes.

"No, I don't. But you gave him the name of a fighter. He has Teller blood running through his veins. If anyone could pull through this it would be him." Said Avery as she wiped the tears from Jax's cheeks.

"I hope you're right." Whispered Jax.

"I do too, baby. Now what do you say about you and I going outside to get some fresh air. I think it'll do you some good." Said Avery.

"What if the doctor comes around while we're out. I can't be gone when he comes to tell us the news." Said Jax.

"I'll call you if that happens. Now, go outside, get some fresh air, and pull yourself together, son." Said John as he patted Jax on the back. Avery hadn't even noticed that he had gotten up from his chair beside Gemma.

"Promise?" Asked Jax, looking like someone had ripped his soul from his body.

"I promise, son. Go get a smoke, burn a joint, something. You're going to need to be strong for that little boy in there." Said John as he pointed towards the doors leading to where Abel's room was.

Standing, Jax dragged Avery up with him and leaned heavily on her. The uncertainty of Abel's future was undoubtedly weighing heavily on him. Avery knew at that moment that regardless of the outcome, she needed to be Jax's soft spot to land, his shoulder to cry on, and the one that was strong when he was having a moment of weakness.

Wrapping her arms tightly around him, Avery guided Jax down the hall and out towards the elevators to the ground floor.

Once outside, Avery forced Jax to take a seat on the bench out front before climbing into his lap and trying her best to comfort him as best as she knew how.

"What do you need, Jax? Just tell me and I'll do my best to make it happen." Said Avery as she forced Jax to look her in the eyes.