California Dreamin': The Sequel to Leather & Lace

Chapter 9

Tinsley was floating around in the pool while Jax played with the kids who were all in floats. The warm July sun was shining bright, warming her skin. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay out very long because of her fair skin but she was really enjoying it. As she laid back on her pineapple shaped float, she listened to the laughter of the kids mingling with Jax's baritone, and felt as calm as she ever remembered felling.

As always, her thoughts drifted to the letters. She really needed to burn them and be rid of them for good but she kept putting it off. She wanted to talk to someone about their contents but knew she couldn't. Talking to someone about the letters would only make them a target. She was already one just because Maureen had sent them. That irish bitch had to know thr shit storm theses letters would be sure to cause JT's accusations were ever brought to light.

As she laid there thinking, the next thing she knew, she was being flipped off her raft. When she came up for air, the kids were laughing and Jax had the biggest shit eating grin on his face.

"Daddy got you mommy" said Abel.

"He sure did baby. I'm gonna get daddy back when he least expects us" said Tinsley.

"Mommy, don't hurt daddy" said Jagger.

"I'm not gonna hurt daddy sweetheart. He played a trick on me so I'm going to do it to him when he doesn't know it's coming" explained Tinsley. She always talked to the kids like adults. She had grew up being told that talking to kids in "baby talk" only made them talk like that for longer and that they ended up having speech impediments.

"Pwomise?" Asked Lizzie

"Promise." Said Tinsley.

The baby monitor on the patio table started to make noice letting Tinsley know that Thomas was awake.

"I'll get him" said Jax.

Climbing over the side of the pool, Tinsley watched as the muscles in his back and arms bunched as he pulled himself out of the water. She had to pinch herself everyday just to remind herself that he was hers and that she wasn't just dreaming all this up. Jax must have felt her eyes on him because he turned to her just before walking into the house, smiling and winking at her.

Tinsley began playing with the kids, splashing and just having a good time in general.

Tinsley didn't hear Jax come back outside but when she turned around, there he stood in allow sling swim trunks, Thomas on his hip. The sight of Jax with a child has her ovaries melting as always. Good thing she had gotten the implant in her arm after Thomas because the way he looked right now, she knew she could jump his bones and as fertile as she was, she knew that would only result in another pregnancy. Not that she minded begging pregnant and populating the world with little children who looked like Jax, but five kids was plenty.

"I see that look Tins. And the answer is no" said Jax.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Tinsley.

"You got that 'I want another baby' look. And the answer is no" said Jax.

"I don't have no such look. I was actually just thinking about how we didn't need anymore and how grateful I am to have that implant in my arm." Said Tinsley.

"Good thing" said Jax, winking. Tinsley caught his meaning behind the wink and shook her head.

"I swear Teller, it's like you a drug to you ain't it?" Asked Tinsley.

"Absolutely. And I'm the biggest addict on the face of this early" said Jax.

"Daddy, wants an addict?" Asked Abel.

Tinsley looked at Jax and he looked back at her with a look of sheer panic on his face.

"Go ahead daddy, explain" said Tinsley.

"Well little man, an addict is someone who really loves something. Sometimes that thing they love can be good for them or can be bad for them" said Jax.

"Are you addicted to mommy?" Asked Abel.

"Yes" said Jax.

"Me too" said Abel.

"Me too" said Lizzie

"No, I am" said Jagger.

As if he was trying to get in on the action, Thomas began yelling.

"You all can be addicted to me. There's enough of mommy to go around my loves" said Tinsley.

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"How about we just order pizza tonight? The kids are tired as hell, I'm sure you are too. We can do the chicken tomorrow." Said Jax.

"Pizza actually does sound pretty good" said Tinsley.

"Ok, I'll call in the order while you start bathing kids" said Jax.

"How about I call in the order while you start bathing kids?" Said Tinsley.

"That works too" said Jax.

Scooping up four of the kids, Jax headed for the upstairs bathroom and began running water. Abel was first to get a bath followed by Lizzie, Jagger, and Gracie. Thomas was still downstairs with Tinsley.

Just as he was finishing up Gracie's bath, Tinsley came into the bathroom.

"Pizza will be here in 30. How about I start dressing kids and you bathe the last one" said Tinsley.

"Go for it" said Jax.

As Jax bathed Thomas, he couldn't help but think how much these little things meant to him. It wasn't about the kids having the best of everything. It wasn't about how much money was spent on them. It was about who spent time with them. Life was about the little things... bathing kids, swimming in the pool, playing peek-a-boo for hours on end.

"I promise you Thomas, I'm not leaving you are your siblings ever again. Daddy loves you all so much" said Jax.

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Jax didn't know that Tinsley was standing at the bathroom door watching him. She had heard what he had just told Thomas. Tears began to well up in her eyes just listening to him promise that sweet little boy those things. She knew Thomas wasn't old enough to remember what was being said but it warmed her heart to know that Jax was telling him anyway. Cleaning her mind, she steeped away from the door frame and into the bathroom.

"And we love the just as much. Is he done?" said Tinsley.

"All fresh and clean." Said Jax.

"Ok, I'll take him and get his pajamas on. If the pizza comes while I'm getting him dressed, just look in my wallet and grab some cash if you don't have any on you" said Tinsley.

"Ok." Said Jax.