The party that Gemma had planned went off without a hitch. She even had catering brought in for everyone so that no one had to worry about dinner. Abel passed from family member to family member. But while most babies would have been fussy being passed around so much, Abel was happy to be loved on. So much so that he only got fussy one time and that was when he started to get hungry, at which time Gemma took him to his nursery and fed him his bottle, leaving Jax and Avery to enjoy their company.
But by 11:00, the guests began to move the party to the club house. And Avery could be happier. While she was glad that so many people wanted to meet Abel and that so many people were supportive of her and Jax, she had been longing for some time alone, just the three of them.
So when everyone was finally gone, Abery soaked up the alone time the only way she knew how. She, Jax, and Abel all snuggled on the couch with Abel lying on her chest, happy to be alone with her two favorite men. But as she sat on the couch, she couldn't help but wonder if Jax was missing the party. Needing to know how he felt, she voiced her question.

"And give up my time with you and Abel on the first day home? Not a fuckign chance." said Jax before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Good answer Teller. That just might get you a reward tonight." said Avery.

"What kind of reward?" asked Jax.

"The kind that is beneficial to both of us. The kind that ends up with both of us being left breathless and feeling boneless." said Avery knowing that she was playing with fire. But after watching him take such good care of Abel during the drive home and during the party, she would be lying if she said that she wasn't turned on. Seeing Jax being so parental just made him all the more sexier in her opinion.
As if that was possible. The man is fucking 10!

"And when will I get this reward?" asked Jax.

"Just as soon as I get this little guy laid down. How's that work for ya?" asked Avery.

"Sounds like a plan." said Jax as he stood from his position on the couch.

"Good. meet me in the bedroom in 10" said Avery.

**********

After laying Abel in his crib, she grabbed the baby monitor and headed for her and Jax's room. When she walked in, the sight before her knocked her breath straight for her lungs.
Every hard surface of their room was covered in candles that flickered, casting a romantic glow on the room There were dozens and dozens of red roses in vases on various surfaces of the room. But on the bed, there were rose petals in the shape of a heart with her and Jax's initials inside of it.
Walking further into the room, she noticed the sound of soft music playing. She was so lost in the moment that she didn't hear or see Jax come out of the bathroom.

"You like?" asked Jax as he wrapped her arms around her from behind.

"I think you know I do." said Avery.

Spinning Avery so that she was facing him, Jax placed his hand on either side of her face and gazed down into her eyes. Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on her lips and rested his forehead against hers.
The two of them stood like that for a few moments, just holding one another. But when Jax leaned back and stared at her once again, she watched as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down as if he was having a hard time swallowing. But then it dawned on her that Jax always did that when he was nervous.

"Avery Leigh Mitchell. I love you with my who fucking heart. I've loved you since I was 14 years old. I'm not good with expressing my feelins openly so I'll make this as sweet as I can." said Jax as he slowly dropped to one knee and pulled a ring from his pocket.

"Baby, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my entire life. Even when we were not together, it was you that I wanted. And now that I have you back in my life, I'm not going to let you go... ever. Spend the rest of your life with me. Be the first person I see when I wake and be the last person I see before I fall asleep. You already have my heart so now please take my last name. Be my wife. Marry me..."

Avery's head was spinning. She couldn't help but think how ironic it was that she was thinking about them being married earlier and now here he was proposing to her. But the thoughts she had earlier about her and Jax not being ready for marriage weren't there like that had been only hours before. No, she didn't get up this morning thinking that she would be engaged to someone that she had only been with for a matter of weeks.
You've known him longer than that said Avery's subconscious.
And her subconscious was right. She had known Jax for longer than a few weeks. She couldn't imagine spending another day on this earth without him. All those years in North Carolina, all the hurt she had felt when he wouldn't move away with her disappeared. For the first time in 10 years, she felt the weight of all that time lift from her shoulders. She saw the life she wanted was within reach. This was her chance to be happy and live the life that she had always wanted. So, without giving it a second thought, Avery said "Yes. A million times yes!" as tears streamed down her face.
With shaky hands, she watched as Jax slipped the ring onto her finger and wondered if she had ever seen anything as sexy as Jax on one knee, sliding a ring onto her finger. The next thing she knew, she was being lifted and Jax's mouth was covering hers. With her legs wrapped around his waist, their tongues tied, doing the familiar dance that they enjoyed so often. Their hands roamed over one another, leaving no area untouched. But all too soon, the kiss was broken.
Suddenly, she was thrown onto the bed and Jax was climbing up on top of her. Sealing his mouth over hers once more, he proceeded to kiss her to within an inch of her life.