Fall From Grace

Chapter Five

Gracie

Gemma is watching me carefully as I take my usual seat beside Clay and kiss his cheek, glancing down at my massive plate of spaghetti. "Looks good, ma." I assure her and she smiles at me - glancing to Opie who's sitting across the table with Jax staring at me intensely. "You better dig in." Jax assures him, slapping his shoulder roughly as he finally looks away and grabs his fork.

"What have you kids been into this evening?" Clay asks me, taking a bite of food as he looks between me and Opie. Opie hangs his head and begins shoveling food into his mouth like usual so it's up to me to answer. "Helped Ope study for his English final. Tried to talk Piney into coming to dinner."

"Old man wouldn't budge?" Clay asks Opie who shakes his head and takes a long drink. "Wheel of Fortune was on. You know he ain't missing that shit." Clay laughs and nods and we settle into dinner making small talk until the boys start talking about the club and I help Gemma clear the table.

"So, things are good with you and Opie?" She asks me as I rinse a dish in the sink - placing it on the mat to my left as I meet her knowing eyes. "Yeah. Everything's good." I say with a bright smile trying not to relive our evening over in my head for the millionth time. I always knew sex with Opie would be amazing but I never imagined it feeling like this. He makes my heart race just looking at him. "Good. You're his old lady. You belong together."

I smile at her words and glance through the house - watching as Clay, Opie and Jax talk intensely among themselves. Dad's face is creased with worry but the guys look excited and somehow I know what they're discussing isn't exactly legal.

"I don't want them getting hurt." I say suddenly and turn to Gemma, my smile falling as she wraps her arms around me. "Any of them. Samcro is the only family I know... and I love Jax and Opie. What if they go to jail or get killed..."

"I know, baby. I worry about that too but they're smart. They know what they're getting into and how to handle it. We just have to be there for them."

I rest my head on Gemma's shoulder, willing away the worry that floods into my chest. "You still thinking about going to that beauty school in Pasadena?" My muscles tense at her question. It's been a dream of mine to attend Paul Mitchell's School of Beauty and I finally have my foot in the door and a real chance to pursue that dream but that would mean leaving Charming, again. "I'm not sure." I mutter, knowing Opie won't come with me. He would never leave Jax and the club and he would hate me for leaving again - especially after what happened between us today.

Gemma kisses my temple and steps away from me, searching my tired eyes. "You'll figure it all out, baby. It won't happen overnight. Now - I'm gonna go break up their shop talk. You and the boys watch a movie or something."

I watch Gemma waltz into the dining room and place her hands on Clay's shoulders, kissing him on the side of his mouth as he turns his attention to her and grins. Just like that all talk of Samcro dies out until they're back in the club house tomorrow. I grab the Tupperware container of Piney's dinner and make my way to Opie - swaying my hips theatrically like Gemma sometimes does which causes Jax to laugh and shake his head. "I promised Piney dinner." I say and hand over the container as he turns to me and smiles.

"Take the old man some dinner then come back and we'll watch a movie." Jax says as they slap their hands together and hug dramatically. I can't help but laugh and roll my eyes, ushering Opie to the door. "Hurry back." I whisper between us and he leans down and kisses me quickly. At first I think he'll pull away - not one for such public displays especially in front of Jax or Clay but he wraps his arm around me and deepens the kiss - pulling me into his chest.

When Jax whistles he seems to realize where he is and lets me to, glancing up to Clay who's still sitting at the table with Gemma, eyebrow raised. "Damn, brother you've got some balls. Clay's within reaching distance to a shit load of butcher knives." Jax laugh fills the living room and I turn a lovely shade of pink as Opie says sorry and lifts his hand to Clay in an apology. Clay thankfully waves him off and Ope assures me he'll be back soon.