His Fate

15.

The next morning Ariana sat in the passenger seat of Abby's car waiting for the moment she could see Juice.  

"Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart?" Abby said softly from the driver's seat.

"I'm sure. We haven't known each other long, but I feel like he should know that I have to leave but I will be back. I didn't get a chance to tell you, but he came to the hospital to check on me. He was worried and I don't want him to worry." Ariana responded.

"If you're sure sweetie, and that was sweet of him." Abby told her. "We will be there in five minutes.

"Okay and thank you for doing this for me. There aren't many people who would take in a lost, pregnant women." Ariana told her seriously.

"Your welcome honey. I was raised to do what I can for people." Abby responded.

"I bet your parents are proud of you."

A few second of silence passed as they pulled into TM and Ariana's nerves started to get the best of her.

"It's okay, sweetie. I'm sure he will be happy to see you."

"I know but one question. What was the surprise last night?" Ariana asked.

Abby laughed before she answered her. "It was a strawberry cake with whipped cream frosting but don't worry you will have another waiting when you get back, now go sweetheart. I will wait for you."

"Thanks." Was all Ariana said before she got out.

As she walked to the door of the office, she stopped when she heard

"Can I help you darling?" She looked back and saw a blonde with blue eyes.

"I'm looking for Juice. Is he here?" She asked quietly while avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah darling, he's in the clubhouse. Follow me and I will take you to him."

"Thanks." She said as she started to follow him across the lot to the clubhouse. 

"My names Jax, you're that girl my mom was chasing, aren't you."

As soon as those words left his mouth, she stopped walking, and he noticed.

"Hey, it's okay. She's not here today and I'm not going to hurt you."

Ariana just nodded and kept walking until she made it into the clubhouse and the smell in there alone was enough to make her nausea. It smelled of old cigarettes, booze. She looked around when she got herself together and saw a pool table, bar and a lonely stripper pole that was in the corner of the room, on the other side was a door that was closed. On another wall was a lot of mugshots. When she looked at Jax again, he pointed to the end of the bar where Juice was sitting with his head buried in his laptop. 

"I will see you later, darling." She nodded again before she started taking steps to Juice.

"Juan Carlos." Was all she said before his head whipped around to see her standing there staring at him.

"Ari, what are you doing here? Are you okay? How's the baby?"

She laughed quietly for a second and said "Calm down. we're okay. I actually came to talk to you. Do you think we can step outside while we talk? Not to be rude or anything but the smell in here is making me nauseous. 

"Yeah, come on." He grabbed her hand and led her back outside and sat down at the picnic table, waiting for her to do the same. When she sat down, she said 

"I have to leave for a little bit. Last night I got the call that Luca's body was being released so I'm going back for the funeral and putting the shop up for sale. I should be back in a week."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's okay. Abby is coming and then Karen and everyone else is coming up for the funeral. Abby's actually waiting on me now. I just wanted you to know so you didn't think I disappeared." She told him.

"Thank you for telling me, I will give you my number and text me if you need anything and I will be there as soon as I can." He said as he put his number in her phone and texted himself so he would also have her number. When he handed her phone back and they both stood, he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Please be safe. I want to spend some time with you when you get back, if that's okay." He told her.

"Yeah, I'd love that. She responded and put her arms around his neck.

He leaned down and kissed her lips softly before bending down and saying, "Be good for your mom, I will see you both when you get back." 

He kissed Ariana one more time before she walked back to the car and Abby drove away. 

"You see him kiss me; do you think it's too early?" Ariana asked.

"I think he's going to make you and your baby happy and that's all anyone could want out of life. You lost your baby's father but maybe this is his way of telling you it won't always feel like the world is crashing down around you."

"I think you might be right." Ariana said before she looked out the window with her hand on her belly and a smile on her face.