WITH SHAKY HANDS and her leg bouncing up and down nervously, Tessa sat between the three women in the Sons clubhouse, her gaze filled with uncertainty as she glanced at each of them, desperately trying to read their respective faces after she told them in detail why the attack on Tara had occurred.

"Wow, and I thought I had my fair share of exes who were crazy. But if this was a competition to see who had the worst ex, you won." Lyla was the first to speak up and immediately reached for Tessa's hand, surprising the young woman somewhat with the gesture.

"Well, I'm not proud of it", Tessa huffed, running her free hand through her straight hair. "On the other hand, I wouldn't have Sawyer without himᅳ but that's the only good thing that came out of this relationship."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that", Gemma huffed, rising from her chair to pace around next to the table, her hands on her hips. "We have to do something about this guy. He means danger and trouble, we don't need that right now. And no one treats us with such disrespect. Attacking the President's Old Lady?", the older woman asked with a snort, shaking her head at the stupidity of this guy. "Does he have a death wish?"

The dark-haired girl swallowed quietly, grateful for Lyla's support, whose hand squeezed hers gently, an understanding look in her blue eyes.

Tessa took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "It was just a warning, a message to prove to me that he has no problem hurting people I care about."

"How did he even find you?!" Gemma hissed. Not because she was angry, but because she was worried. "Tara could be dead, Tessa! This happens if you start working for the porn industry. You get famous and people start recognizing you. I bet he found you on a website, which means you literally lured him to us."

Tessa's gaze dropped, from the corner of her eye she glanced at Tara, who hasn't said anything on the subject yet. Didn't that say enough? Tara was probably thinking about the best words she could spit at her to show her that she didn't want anything to do with her anymore. The thing was that Tessa could even understand if Tara was angry and wanted distance.

"Gemma, stop it. She's been through enough, don't you think?" Tara warned gently, catching a confused yet grateful look from Tessa. With a small smile, Tara looked at her friend and reached for her free hand. "I know what you're going through, I also had an ex who used my friends to keep me smallᅳ and it was horrible, scary time in my life. I hope Happy knows about this Cal?"

"Yes, yes of course, I told him about it yesterday", Tessa assured the doctor, a wave of immense relief washing over her as Tara's warm gaze continued to rest on her and a satisfied hum vibrated through the brunette's throat. "So..does that mean you're not mad at me because you were attacked because of me?"

"Jesus, no, why should I, Tessa?" Tara quickly shook her head, almost hurt that Tessa thought of her that way. "Any person with common sense knows that you are just as much the victim. It's not your fault", putting emphasis on her last few words, Tara gave the matriarch an intense look. "It's not her fault her ex is in Charming now and stabbing her friends, Gem."

"I agree with Tara. Tessa did nothing wrong and most definitely she didn't lure him to us", Lyla chimed in, her shoulders straightened as she prepared to defend her friend. "The only person we should blame here is her psycho ex, because of whom she constantly has to live in fear."

"Then she should've put an end to it sooner", Gemma declared with a huff, stopping in her tracks before letting out a sigh. "He could hurt the kids, hurt the clubᅳ then what?"

Tessa's gaze wandered back and forth between her friends, speechless. It was hard to put into words how grateful she was for the support of both of them. "Thanks guys, you have no idea how much your support means to me."

Thanks to her friends, her self-esteem had regained some strength, and she looked at Gemma. "As they say, it's not my fuckin' fault, Gemma. Trust me, I feel horrible enough that he's here because of me now, but there's nothing I could've done about it", the young woman paused to take a deep breath before she continued, her brown eyes filled with determination. "And if you have a problem with me because of that now, I can't change it. But it was never my intention to put any of you in danger."

A grin formed on Gemma's lips as a proud look crossed her face as Tessa gave her a little lecture. There weren't many women willing to tell her, SAMCRO'S queen, what they thoughtᅳ apparently Tessa had balls and that showed strength, which Gemma admired.

"I don't have a problem with you, sweetie", Gemma winked before sitting back down, leaning back with her arms crossed. "But I have a problem with my family getting attacked and threatened."

"And that's okay, you have every right to be angry, but so am I", Tessa replied simply as she rubbed the tip of her nose. "But, and I say this with complete respect for you, don't be a bitch to me just because I have a history with the guy."

Tara and Lyla exchanged a look, the hint of a proud smile on their lips. To earn Gemma's respect, you simply had to prove to Gemma that you had as much willpower and fire inside you as the Queen herself. That was the way into Gemma's heartᅳ which Tara and Lyla also had to prove.

What can you say, it wasn't easy to prove yourself against Gemma. But if it happened, you gained Gemma's full respect.

"You know, baby." With her voice lowered, Gemma leaned over the table, grinning at Tessa. "I don't like people who tell me what I can do and what not, but I see myself in youᅳ I like that. We have a lot in common, that's good."

Not quite sure if this was actually such a good thing without meaning it to be offensive in any way, Tessa slowly raised the corner of her mouth. "Get used to it, because I'm not someone you can push aroundᅳ not anymore."

"And that's good", Gemma hummed as she placed her hands on top of Tessa's, patting them. "You have my full support when it comes to your ex, sweetheart, and I mean it. We women should stick together."

"Finally something meaningful coming out of your mouth", Tara teased her mother-in-law, her lips curled into a smile as Gemma just snorted but then immediately let out a laugh. "But I agree; we women have to stick together. That Cal guy", the name fell from Tara's tongue like poison. "He will regret that he ever stepped a foot inside Charming."

"Damn girl, you're turning me on", Lyla, fully impressed, looked at the doctor. Thanks to Tessa, Lyla and Tara also spent more time together. "I like you more and more."

With a smirk, Gemma rested her arm on the top rail of the chair. "Right? Our professional doctor is slowly becoming a real badass."

"Who says I can't be both?" Tara asked challengingly, a playful twinkle in her eyes.

"Exactly", Tessa shrugged with a grin. "I think she embodies both really well. A professional doctor in the hospital and a strong-willed mother and wife at home."

Tara threw her hands in the air, chuckling as a blush spread across her cheeks from all the compliments. "Okay, that's enough, you're making me blush."

It was moments like these, surrounded by her friends, that Tessa had never had before. Even during a troubling situation, while her ex was trying to hurt her newfound family and friends, there were brief moments when she was just being happy.

One more reason to banish Cal from her life.

ᚔ

TARA WALKES UP TO JAX as he was dismounting his bike, flashing her a wink with his infamous Teller grin. Her lips curled into a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck after giving Chibs, who had come back with Jax, a quick hug.

"Hey babe." Jax' arm snaked around Tara's waist, pulling her close to him as he glanced around and waved at his son and Sawyer, whom he spotted by the swing set Tara had come from just a moment ago. "Are you watching them alone?"

"Yeah, Gemma had to get some things", Tara explained with a nod, removing one arm from his neck, adjusting the collar of his kutte. "And Happy picked Tessa up earlier, said he wanted to show her somethingᅳ then I offered that Sawyer could stay here."

"Okay", Jax said, nodding. A year ago, everything would never have worked out so harmoniously; Tara's dislike for his lifestyle, his club and the other women here had been too great. "So everything is going well between you and Tessa?"

"Yes, yes it does", Tara replied relatively quickly, smiling. "She's a few years younger than me, but somehow we just fit together. And Abel and Sawyer are already inseparable."

With a chuckle, the blonde could only agree. "Yeah, they are. Abel would love to play with him twenty four seven."

"He's already asked if Sawyer and him can have a sleepover", Tara told her husband, shaking her head in amusement. "I told them that Sawyer can spend the weekend at our place if it's okay for Tessa and you too."

"Sure, why not." As he pulled Tara into his side and walked towards the small office as Chibs and Juice joined the kids, his expression became a little more serious. "Chibs and I were with Hap earlier, he said he needed to talk to us."

Tara's head shot up. "So you already know about Tessa's ex?"

"I do." The topic leaving a bitter taste in his mouth, Jax let out a snort as he gently pushed his wife through the narrow door and pulled up his mother's chair, sitting down. "Sit down, babe."

With a deep sigh, Tara sank down onto the well-used couch behind her, her clasped hands tucked between her legs. She could feel Jax' intense gaze on her while he was just trying to figure out how she was doing.

"Jax, you can't be mad at her", Tara pleaded, yet her voice was firm and demanding as she reached for her husband's hand. "Remember Josh? The Fed killed you? He was..he was also using my friend's for his sick games, trying to suppress me."

"Hey", with a slight tilt to the side of his head, Jax closed his hands around Tara's. "Who says I'm mad at her, Tara? Neither Chibs nor I blame Tessa for what happened to youᅳ that's on that sick bastard."

Tara let out a relieved breath that she had held back. With a nod of her head, she shot Jax a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Jax. Tessa feels shitty enough already. Gemma didn't really react supportive at first."

"Great." Sighing, Jax rubbed a hand over his face, smoothing out his beard. "What did my mom do this time?"

"Nothing too bad", Tara assured with a shrug. "But you know Gemma, of course she tried to find someone to blameᅳ you know how she is when it comes to her family, she's.."

"..she's going crazy", Jax finished the sentence for his wife with a sigh. Sometimes he could just shake his head when it came to his mother. "I hope she apologized."

The brunette made a quick gesture with her hand. "Well, sort of, in her own way. But apparently Tessa really left an impression on your momᅳ that's good."

"Has she?" The blonde raised an amused brow as he took both of his wife's hands in his, rubbing his thumbs over the back of her hands. "I think it's good that you've finally found a friend here, I mean it, babe. And I think Tessa needed that, too."

A frown crossed Tara's face as she thought about Jax' words, actually letting them sink in. "To be honest, that's exactly what I needed. A friend, a real one. Someone I can talk to who isn't like Gemmaᅳ no offense. And I found a friend in Tessa; and even in Lyla."

"No, I understand it." Jax tucked a strand of Tara's hair behind her ear, admiring her beauty. "I love you, you know that?"

"I love you too, Jax", the brunette whispered sincerely, her heart beating hard in her chest. That, moments like that, was what Tara had longed for when she came back to Charming four years ago. She just had to first realize that she couldn't change Jaxᅳ something she no longer wanted to do. "So, does that mean we're helping Tessa?"

"Of course we're going to help her", Jax spoke with determination. "Happy's coming over later so we can all sit down and discuss what happens next. So far only Chibs and I knowᅳ but until we figure something out, we'll all keep our eyes open. And hey", Jax took Tara's chin between his index finger and thumb. "No trips around town alone, okay? Even if you girls are together, you take Rat or a patched member with you, understand?"

"Good, she finally deserves some peaceᅳ the guy can't come near Sawyer, he seems unpredictable. He has to disappear, Jax, just like Josh back then", Tara literally pleaded. In her eyes, people like Cal who would even go as far and hurt children, were the real scum.

Her tense features softened, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "We're not stupid, Jax. Neither Tessa nor I nor Lyla want to risk anything. And we'll be extra careful when we have the kids with us."

"He will, babe, Happy will make sure of that. But we have to be smart", Jax explained to his wife, looking at her proudly as she didn't even argue with him but saw the danger herself. "Good. How are you? You got another appointment at St. Thomas about your wound?"

"I'm usually the last person to be a fan of violence, butᅳ" Tara took a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling before looking back into Jax' blue eyes. "But hurry up, find a way before something worse happens", she told the blonde, her voice filled with gentleness as she answered his next question. "I'm okay, the painkillers are doing what they're supposed to do. And no, not today, but tomorrow morning. Do you want to come with me?"

"Babe, listen to me", grabbing her hands again, Jax' gaze was full of seriousness. "Nothing will happen. All the Old Ladies and kids are always under observation by one of usᅳ you don't have to worry. And of course I wanna come with you."

"If you say so", Tara sighed softly, still feeling uneasy.

"Come here." After Jax got up, he offered her his hand when he realized that his wife was still skeptical, and helped her to her feet, carefully because of her wound. Then he loosely placed his arms around her shoulders to pull her in a comforting hug. "You, Abel and Thomas are safe. Tessa and Sawyer are also safe with Happy. Everything will be okay, Tara."

"I know. It's just..scary", the brunette murmured, her eyes closed as her forehead rested against Jax', rubbing their noses together.

ᚔ

HAPPY AND TESSA EXCHANGED a look, a smile on the latter's lips while Happy's face still looked stoic as always. But at the latest when Sawyer came running towards both of them and wrapped his short arms around one of Happy's and one of Tessa's legs, Happy also allowed his lips to curl into a smile.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you", the four-year-old exclaimed, his greenish eyes shining with joy. "You are the best!"

The little pit bull, the reason for Sawyer's joy, ran after the boy, wagging his tail as he circled around Sawyer's legs, waiting for someone to play with him.

"You gotta thank your mom, buddy", Happy croaked, ruffling the boy's hair. "She let me get you a dog."

"Well, you already had the dog and didn't really give me much of a choice", Tessa corrected with an amused chuckle, not the least bit annoyed by Happy's action. She fell in love with the new family member the moment Happy had shown her the pit bull. "But hey, buddy, that's Happy's dog too, not just yours, okay?"

"That's okay, we can share", the four-year-old explained with an eager nod, giving them the widest smile. Satisfied, Sawyer plopped down on the floor, a moment later his giggles filled the living room, a sound that lit up the entire room as the still small pit bull jumped onto his lap and licked his cheek. "That tickles!"

Tessa clicked her tongue, just enjoying the moment as she watched how happy her son was. When Happy's arm unexpectedly slipped around her waist, a smile crept onto her dark lips. With a comfortable sigh she leaned into his side.

"Thanks for that, Happy, for making him happy", she murmured, turning her head so that she could look up at him, noticing how relaxed he suddenly seemed. "You okay?"

His eyes met hers as he gave her a smile. "Yeah. The dog will keep you extra safe", he rasped, his features becoming harder again, more serious. "I want you to stay here, with me. The CPS Lady can't tell you where you have to live as long as Sawyer is safe and loved."

Surprised by the sudden offer, which Tessa secretly thought was pretty sweet and made her heart beat twice as fast, she now fully turned in his arms, his arm now encircling her entire waist.

"Are you serious?", she asked, still a little baffled, as if she was hallucinating.

"Yeah." Happy pushed her black hair back, revealing more of her pretty face, a warmth filling his chest as he looked into her brown eyes. "You're safer here."

"Is that the only reason?", she wanted to know, her voice barely a whisper.

The muscles in Happy's jaw twitched as he tried to force himself to tell her the real reason. Not that the reason he gave her was an excuse. Tessa and Sawyer were safer here with him, that was a fact. But that wasn't the only reason either.

"No", he said, shaking his head as he cupped Tessa's face in his hands, almost tentatively. "I want you around, you and Sawyer."

Tessa smiled, letting the tip of her nose ghost over his chin before lifting her chin slightly as Happy's hand slipped to the back of her neck, their lips just a few millimeters apart.

"I want that too", she whispered with the tiniest of smiles.

Just as she wanted to wrap her arm around his neck, wanting nothing more than to finally feel Happy's lips, Sawyer walked up and jumped up and down, full of excitement.

"Does he have a name yet?", he asked, giving the two of them his sweetest look. "Because I have a name for him!"

Happy just grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath as he once again didn't get the chance to finally kiss the woman who had been haunting his dreams for weeks. But instead of reacting annoyed, he placed a kiss on Tessa's forehead, pulled away from her and crouched down to scratch their dog behind his ear.

"No, he doesn't have a name yet", Happy assured the boy, smiling. "So about time he got one. What's your suggestion, buddy?"

"Baxter", Sawyer announced, chewing on his lip as he waited for an answer. "I like the name, do you?"

"Baxter", Happy repeated, studying the pit bull with the grey fur for a while before looking back at Sawyer. "That's a good name for him. You picked out the perfect name, buddy."

"I agree!" Sawyer beamed as Happy raised his hand to give him a high five. Super happy and proud of himself, Sawyer sat on his knees to be a little taller and gave Happy a high five.

"Is mom okay with that too?" With the slightest smirk, Happy looked up at the woman, who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and taking in the scene with a smile. And she, just standing there and doing nothing, looked, as always, fuckin' pretty.

"Yeah, I like it, really", she replied, smiling contentedly. "Baxter it is."

If it were like this every day, the world would be perfect and a much better place. That was all Tessa wantedᅳ her son to be happy, someone who cared about both of them and not just her, and a stable environment.

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