First Son, Cursed Son

Just a Crow

Six months later, Willow stands at work, juggling several credit cards, mind still on the last final she has before she can head home for Christmas break. She knows she should be studying, but work had called and she wants the extra cash to spend on Ellie's Christmas and engagement present.

"Oh, watch out, got a what looks to be a ROAC coming in." Her fellow waitress hisses and Willow stifles a groan, still ringing up the credit card. It stands for rowdy old asshole crowd, a code word so that they can warn each other that men who look like trouble are coming into the restaurant.

"Seriously?" She grumbles.

"Your section, I'm sorry." She says on her next pass by and Willow just finishes up totaling the bill before plastering her best vapid, pleasant smiling on her face and turning around. Her smile is wiped right off her face, replaced by a look of disbelief when she sees the men that are looking at her. She's still for a moment then goes sprinting across the floor, shrieking,

"Guys! Guys! What are you doing here?" Abel is the one to catch her of course, picking her up off the ground. After him is her brothers and Bowen, then Tig and Happy, then Chibs, Rat, and the rest.

"Had to check on you, of course. Making sure you're keeping those spotless grades up." Happy says and she rolls her eyes good-naturedly, beaming at them all. She takes them to their seats, kissing their cheeks and asking about the ride. She doesn't bother to take a drink order; she knows it by heart from running drinks at the clubhouse. When she gets to the bar, several of the waitresses are looking at her in disbelief.

"What?" She asks, grabbing the captain and coke.

"You know them?" One asks, stunned.

"Of course." Willow says with a shrug. Then she can't resist and adds, "It's my brothers, my boyfriend, and all my dads." She smiles brightly and returns to the drinks. She passes them around the table and slides into the booth, tucking herself into Abel's side.

"How many more tests do you have?" Piper asks curiously and she sighs, rubbing her temples.

"Just one, thank god." She says happily.

"Shouldn't ya be studyin'?" Chibs asks and she makes a face at him.

"It's an easy final. Besides, I could use the money." She says dismissively.

"If you need something, you just ask." Rat says sharply and she waves a hand, trying to reassure them.

"It's not that. It's just that I like a little extra cash, to surprise you all for Christmas." She says mischievously then kisses Abel's cheek. "I'm getting back to work. I'll be done at 4, you all can pick me up then." She says and waves.

When her shift is done, she pulls her hair from her braid and massages her scalp, closing her eyes in relief. She picks up her purse and glances at her phone, smiling at all the pictures Ellie has sent her, ranging from centerpieces to the menu. She sets about replying when someone catches her arm.

"Hey, Willow." Another older waitress, Johanna, says with wide eyes. "Those guys that came in today, you said they were your family?" She asks and Willow nods, nonplussed. "I just... My ex husband was a biker." She explains and Willow is taken aback.

"I didn't know that." She admits and Johanna shakes her head.

"It was a long time ago. Point is, I know how an MC works. And that many guys today?" She asks, raising her eyebrows. Willow frowns.

"What about it?" She questions, just as a deep rumble announces the arrival of her escort.

"Just that who are you," Johanna asks, with wide eyes, watching as the bikes keep rolling up. "That you warrant this amount of protection?" Willow smiles as the lead biker steps off his bike and walks up to them, a confident grin playing in the corners of his mouth. His kutte is a full patch and is proudly emblazoned with a patch that says 'Men of Mayhem'. Willow tears her eyes off of him long enough to smile at Johanna and pull her sunglasses down, fiddling with a thick gold ring sitting on the middle finger of her left hand.

"I'm no one." She says breezily. "Just a Crow."