A Midsummer's Caress

Chapter 54

Jax underestimated how much the white supremacists hated the club and were determined to push meth in Charming. Not wanting to let any of his people get injured, the blond decided to call for a lockdown. He began calling those that weren't already at the clubhouse to let them know. Halfway through breakfast, Quinn got the call. He told Harlow about it making her sigh. He told her he'd clean up from breakfast while she put together bags for everyone. She started in Gage's room and picked several days' worth of clothes, some of his favorite books, and a few of his most favorite toys. She took his bag and headed into Kian's room where she repeated the process. Once the kitchen was clean and all the dirty dishes were in the dishwasher, he got it going then headed down to their room to start a bag for him and his 'ol lady. Once Kian's bag was ready, she moved to Willow's room. The little girl wanted to tell her mother which clothes she wanted making Harlow laugh and put in those clothes. She put in the kids' toiletries in Willow's bag then moved them all to the foyer before heading to her room. Quinn had just finished putting his clothes and toiletries in their bag and sat down on the edge of the bed while she packed up for herself. She packed several days' worth of clothes, her toiletries, phone charger, a couple books, and looked around the room. With three small children she didn't think she'd have time to work so she opted to leave her system at home and just take a few days off.

With everyone packed up, Quinn helped load the bags into the back of her SUV while she got the kids strapped into their booster seats. He escorted her all the way to the clubhouse. He hoped what they had done wasn't blowing back on them but he'd find out more when they had church. When they arrived, he helped carry all the bags in while she helped the children into the clubhouse. Gage and Kian were excited to play with Thomas and Abel making Harlow chuckle at their enthusiasm. Gemma greeted the couple cordially before Quinn went to procure them a dorm room. He found an empty room, took the key, then set all the bags on the desk. He'd need to get a couple cots for the children so they had something to sleep on. Leaving the room, he locked the door, then went to find his 'ol lady. She was chatting with Gemma and Lyla as the kids were all running around with Thomas and Abel. Jax was sitting with Bobby discussing the lockdown and the threat the white supremacist group had made. The blond biker leader wanted to deal with them directly and be done with them once and for all. Bobby thought they should go about things in a more subtle way. Quinn kissed his 'ol lady's cheek before having a seat with Tig and Chibs. The pair greeted him cordially as he waved the prospect over for a beer. 

Shortly after everyone arrived, Jax called for church. The women and children sat around the clubhouse playing or chatting and catching up on life. Most people had already had breakfast by the time they arrived at the clubhouse so Gemma didn't see any reason to make a meal before lunch. The biker Queen asked how the kids had taken to Harlow's new look making the younger woman laugh and explain their reactions. It made Gemma laugh too hearing it. The bikers were in church all morning discussing how to go about dealing with the group who'd put them on lockdown. Tig and Happy were both advocating to just go out and annihilate the group and be done with it. Bobby and Opie, on the other hand, wanted a more subtle approach so nothing could blow back on the club. Jax was torn. He wanted swift vengeance as he didn't take to being threatened lightly but he also didn't want the club to get involved with the local police as they had enough on their plates to deal with without the police getting involved. Blowback on the club always spelled bad news. The group sat around discussing their options and what would be best. After a lengthy discussion, they finally settled on blowing up the group's hideout place with as many of them in it as possible. Opie would set the charges and make it look like a gas leak had caused the place to explode. Opie was happy to lend his expertise even though he would rather have taken a different approach to the problem.

Jax decided they'd head out after dinner under cover of darkness. He hoped they'd only have to be on lockdown for one night. With their business conducted, Jax slammed the gavel down and let everyone leave to head out to their loved ones. Quinn scanned the room to see where his kids were at and then where his 'ol lady was at. The two boys were playing with Jax's two boys and Willow was sitting on one of the black couches "reading" in one of her books. She was doing her best to read but there were a lot of words she didn't recognize yet. Harlow was sitting with Lyla and one of the other 'ol ladies named Tammy chatting and laughing away. She was happy so he went to sit with Willow and help her read. Willow wanted him to read to her making the big man chuckle as she climbed into his lap with her book. He read story after story to her until Gemma shouted that lunch was ready. It surprised him that it was already lunch time but they'd spent the good majority of the morning in church. Harlow stood in line to make the kids' their plates before getting back in line to make hers. She had all three kids sitting on the black couch so they could eat and not make a mess. Grilled cheese sandwiches and potato chips were served for everyone that afternoon. Quinn couldn't wait to see what Gemma made them all for dinner.