Love & Hate

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I look at the clock after taking the last batch of cookies out of the oven and see that it's four in the morning. Almost everyone else has gone to bed. Happy and Koz are sitting at the table watching me. "You guys didn't have to stay up with me. I'm fine." I tell them. "No you're not and we know you won't talk until you work some of that shit out while you bake. Now, talk." Koz says. I sigh, "What happens if the Mayhem vote doesn't go through?" I asked the question that was on my mind. "Then he doesn't die. But that doesn't stop us from excommunicating him like we have. His ink is gone and all of the other charters have been told that Jax is the president now. Plus, we are prepared for his shit. He's burned so many bridges that no one wants to help him." Hap says. "So, all we can do now is just prepare for the vote. Does Gemma know about the vote? She is still his Old Lady and all." I asked. "Yeah, she knows. She's good with it because she knows why." Koz says and I nod. "Let's go to bed boys." I say.

I wake up the next morning around ten and smell breakfast cooking. I walk out to the kitchen and see all the Old Ladies cooking. "Morning baby girl." Gemma greets me. "Morning Gem. How are you feeling?" I asked. "I'm good baby." she tells me before kissing my cheek. "Anything I can help with?" I asked. "Nope. We got it. You made all the desserts so breakfast is on us." Gemma tells me. I smile and head to the living room to watch the little ones play. Ellie comes over and sits next to me. "Morning Maura." she says sadly. "Morning baby girl." I say before kissing the top of her head. Since I have been around the club, I had gotten close to Ellie. I know she has Lyla but we have a big sister, little sister relationship. "Why are we having to stay here?" she asked me. "Baby, the guys have to take care of some things and thought we could all use a little mini vacation." I tell her, not wanting to tell her what's happening. "I saw cookies and cakes in the kitchen. Can we make an Apple Pie later?" she asked. "Yeah baby girl. Me and you will make one after breakfast." I tell her and she snuggles into my side more.

A little later, breakfast is done and the kitchen is cleaned and Ellie and I made the Apple Pie. The guys come in the door and Hap nods towards the bedroom. I follow him and Koz and they pull me to the bed. Sitting between them, this seems to be how all our talks go. "Vote was unanimous. He meets Mayhem." Hap says. "So, where do we go from here?" I asked. "We have him at the club's cabin and Opie's going to be the one to do it since he has lost the most from Clay's actions." Koz explains. "That makes sense. You guys tell Gemma yet?" I asked. "Jax is telling her and Tara now." Hap says and I nod. "You guys okay with this?" I asked. "Yeah, we are." they both tell me. "Good. When is it going to be done?" I asked. "Tonight. So we should all be able to go home tomorrow morning." Koz says. "You think Jax would be okay with us staying a few more days, just the three of us?" I asked and Hap says "I don't see why not. Why?" I smirk and say "I need some time alone with my Old Men. Haven't seen much of you guys over the last couple of days." I tell them.

We head out to the living room and see several somber looks. I walk to Gemma and lean my head on her shoulders. "You okay Gem?" I asked. "Yeah baby. This is how the club works. I knew it was coming." she tells me. "Doesn't make it any easier." I tell her. "No but Sweetheart, he isn't the same man I married. The man I married would never have done this to me, or his club. He was in this more for him and not for the club as a whole. Those men you have? They are good, loyal men. They are men to be proud of." she tells me. "Oh, believe me, I am very proud of them.

Later that afternoon, the guys start to leave. "Be safe guys. I love you both." I tell them and they both say they love me too and head out to carry out the verdict.