Widow's Grace

8 - Family Debut

Jax's POV

No matter what is going on, I am in the office by 7:30am. This gives me a little quiet time before the office starts buzzing with people. Ellen was been my assistant forever, she comes around 8, to give me a little time to myself. Ellen is like a Mom to me, she has been with me since I took over this company from my Dad, and while in public she is professional, when it's just me and here, so pulls no punches.

At 8:15, she walks in my office, to talk about my day.

"Everything appears to be running smoothly, few meetings, few conference calls, etc. etc. But I notice a new meeting on my calendar at 4:30pm that wasn't there last night. Ellen you need to move this meeting at 4:30 to another day. As a matter of fact, unless it's absolutely imperative, my last meeting for the day should be at 3:00pm."

"Ok Jax, what's going on, why the sudden change in schedule?"

"I just don't want to have late meetings anymore; I want to enjoy my evenings Ellen."

"If you say so, Jax, but I will find out what this is all about eventually. No more meetings after 3pm, got it."

As Ellen exits, my brothers and sister enter shutting the door behind them.

Jules is the first to speak, "Are you dying?"

"What the hell Jules, why would you think I am dying?"

"Jax you have not taken an unscheduled day off in 10 years."

Jake and Jonathan stand there silently letting their little sister do the dirty work.

"I promise you Jules, I am as fit as a fiddle, no health issues what so ever."

"Ok Jax, either you tell us what happened yesterday or we are calling Mom."

"Really Jules, you bringing mom in, you know I am 44 years old right, I am the older brother to all of you."

"Don't make me do it Jax, but I will, and when I do, you will never hear the end of it."

"Fine Jules, fine, you three are so nosey. You all have your own families why are you worried about how I spend my time."

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It's mid–afternoon and Tori is in the kitchen preparing for her family dinner. It wasn't the entire extended family, but her parents, Allen's parents, Allen's sister Lisa, the kids, Carter, her best friend Demi was flying in today from California and of course Jax.

She ran upstairs to get her phone, and a new message popped up from Allen.

"Hey babe, I hope Aiden is enjoying his time getting to know the family. If I know you well enough, I know you have already moved him in. You were always a better woman than I ever deserved, I love you Tori. If you are not already, try to have some fun, go out on a date, have some sex, it's been seven years Tori. I know its weird having your dead husband tell you to get laid, but you really need to. The last seven years have been tough Tori, I couldn't love you the way you deserved or I wanted to, I know there is someone out there that can and will now. Screw what everyone else thinks, we never cared before so don't you care now."

All I could do was smile, when I least expected it, Allen was right there to reassure me, he wasn't perfect, we weren't perfect but he knew I would need him to get through this and I am grateful for it.

The day went by fast, and I timed it just right, everyone was there just as I was pulling dessert out of the oven.

Aiden was welcomed with love, it was like he was always a part of the family, he talked with everyone, made plans with his grandads, and it was a proud moment. Jax was very comfortable with my family and even made plans with my Dad to go hunting.