One Rule

Chapter 24

We got one quiet day before everyone got home. I spent most of my day making muffins so that they could have something to eat when they came home. It didn't occur to me that I was probably stress baking until I was on my fourth batch.

I was up early the morning that they were due back, having barely slept the night before. I took all of the food over to the clubhouse and waited for the van to pull onto the lot. They got there just after sunrise, and I felt like I could breathe again. My boys were back, and everything felt like it was going to be okay now.

"Hi Dad," I smiled when Clay pulled me into a hug. "How did it go?" 

"We got him. That's all that matters." That was enough to tell me that I didn't want to ask any questions about what specifically happened over in Belfast.

I hugged Opie and Jax. Gemma had Abel, so I just decided to steer clear as we all headed inside. The guys headed straight for the food, devouring a lot of it in what felt like an instant.

"I think Diana has something to tell everyone," Tig said, and all eyes turned on me.

I felt my face turn red. I looked over at Kozik and smiled before lifting up my left hand to show off my ring. "We're engaged!"

There was a loud chorus of congratulations and I was being pulled into hugs in all different directions. I pulled up short when Gemma came up to me. I think Kozik sensed my hesitation. He chose that moment to wrap an arm around my waist and kiss my neck, pulling my attention away from Gemma.

"Chapel, now!" Clay called.

"Love you," I said quietly before Koz pulled away.

"Love you too."

And then it was just Gemma, Lyla, and me. I finally got a chance to hold Abel for the first time in forever. It felt nice to just sit and hold him for a minute.

"What happened after we left?" Gemma asked.

"As far as what?" I asked, playing dumb. I wanted to make her work for it a little bit.

"You," she replied.

"I hit my head and got a concussion. I was out of commission for a couple days," I said coolly.

"I didn't mean for that to happen," she replied.

"I don't think you cared what happened as long as you got what you wanted," I told her.

"If that baby was your flesh and blood, you'd have done whatever it took to get him back," Gemma said, standing over me.

"I wonder what the feds will do with you now," I mused. The dig that I was not technically Abel's "flesh and blood" did not go over my head.

"I don't care. We got him back," Gemma protested.

"And when they lock you up, you may never get to see him again," I replied. "I hope it was worth it." I stood up and handed Abel over before heading back to the room Kozik and I slept in the other night to grab something I'd accidentally left, and to just pick up in general.

"Are you okay?" Lyla asked, leaning on the door frame.

"Yeah. It's not out of character for her to remind me that I'm not her's when she knows it might do some damage," I replied. I could see the question on her face, so I beckoned her inside, and had her close the door. "My mother was a croweater from the Tacoma charter. You know, what happens on a run, stays on a run. She didn't tell Clay about me, but the guys up there still knew I was his daughter," I explained. "This was like, before he and Gemma were really a thing, but I was born after they were married. My mom died giving birth, and instead of letting the state take me, the guys in the Tacoma charter called Clay and told him about me. Gemma agreed to take me in and raise me with Jax." I sat down on the bed, "So if not for her, God only knows what would have happened to me."