I Didn't Know ▷ SOA [ ✓ ]

04.

Charming, 2005 {20-years-old}

Three years, one year in juvenile detention and two in a women's penitentiary prison. Three years had passed since I was taken away in handcuffs for first degree murder.

I didn't understand why I was getting out early and quite honestly didn't give a damn until the lawyer Gemma paid for said that the witness that testified had came forward and stated that their statement was false, they lied because apparently I had gotten her boyfriend and he hooked on crank and he OD'd.

I immediately understood the woman's hatred toward me although through my hazy memory I offered the needle, I never pushed him into pumping it into the ex-junkies favourite vein.

~

The moment I stepped foot on Teller-Morrow I had to do a double take, the entire club along with their family members were there waiting with a "Welcome back to Paradise" banner, live music, barbecue and tattoo artists.

I was immediately passed around from one to another welcoming me back, asking me how my 'road trip' was. A few times I faltered having forgotten that the only person to know of my incarnation had been Gemma and Charming's officers who had showed up at the cabin three years ago to arrest me.

When it came to Donna I became confused seeing holding a toddler with a little girl I presumed to be Ellie holding onto her leg.

"Where's Opie?" I question with a frown, although still not on speaking terms I felt worry for his well being and sorry for how I had acted towards him up at the cabin.

"Opie was arrested doing a job for the club a year after you skipped town, he should be out this time next year" Donna said with a smile acting civil although I saw her look at my father with a look I understood all to well. She blamed him and the club for what happened to him and a small part of me did as well but ignored it knowing that it would only lead to trouble.

"Hey, if you ever need someone to take care of the kids I don't have anything on my plate and don't plan on it anytime soon" I say as a gesture of good will earning a thankyou from the woman I secretly loathed "don't mention in, now try and have some fun! If not have some barbecue and take some home, no doubt there's gonna be plenty left over" I say with a laugh before walking away, bumping into my ex and now fully patched in member Billy the Beast.

~

A week had passed by and after years of being a single pringle after dumping Billy for being incapable of being faithful and committed to our relationship,  I accepted his pleas for another chance and found myself overwhelmed by how much he had changed.

Not only had he managed to choose a romantic restaurant but for the first time he had showered, shaved and put an effort into what he was wearing.

What I found the most surprising was how he had bought me flowers and chocolates and remembered that white roses and Godiva chocolate were my favourite.

At the end when he asked me out on a second date I accepted and grinned like the Cheshire Cat when he kissed me on the hand good night like an old time gentleman unlike how he used to grab me and kiss me hard as if though it was what I expected.

~

Ten dates later the club started talking and questioning why Billy had changed for me.

Thirty dates in and we were having a barbecue at the clubhouse with the entire club, sweet buts and Crow Eaters included when Billy decided to serenade me with a song of his own making and the production of a gorgeous diamond engagement ring followed with "Will you marry me?"

I accepted his proposal and that night we celebrated until the sun came out, for the first time in a long time I was happy, I was in love and someone reciprocated those feelings and it felt great.