California Dreamin': The Sequel to Leather & Lace

Chapter 16

Tinsley climbed out of the pool, grabbing Asher on the way out. In her black string bikini with SAMCRO written across the butt, Tinsley was rocking the body she had worked so hard for. She had also worn it because she knew Jax loved her in a bikini even though he didn't like that it put her breasts on full display. When she reached the lounger where Willow was sitting, she placed Asher in her lap.

"What do you think you might want for dinner tonight?" Asked Tinsley as she took the lounger beside Willow.

"Just do something simple. No need to break out the good China on our account" said Willow.

"Bratwurst, German Potato salad, maybe some kind of desert sound good?" Asked Tinsley.

"Sure. But don't worry about making desert. I'll send Kip for stuff to make ice cream sundaes. I'm sure the kids will love that." Said Willow.

"Sounds good. Speaking of Half Sack, wonder what's taking him and Jax so long?" Asked Tinsley.

"I don't know. Want me to go check on them?" Asked Willow.

"Naw, I got it. You watch the kids and rest while you can." Said Tinsley.

"I won't argue with you in that" said Willow.

Standing up from her lounger, Tinsley grabbed her sarong and tied it around her waist and then took the sliding glass door into the the house. Stopping in the kitchen for a beer, she grabbed one for her, Jax, and Half Sack. When she opened the door that led to the garage, she noticed the garage door was shut and that Jax's bike wasn't in the garage.

"Where the hell are they?" said Tinsley to herself.

She then walked to the front door and opened it up wide. She could hear Half Sack talking so she headed in the direction of his voice.

To say she was shocked when she got a glimpse of who Half Sack was talking to was a gross understatement. In fact, the 3 bottles of beer she carried crashed to the ground and shattered, splashing her with foam and tiny shards of glass.

"Opie? Is that really you?" Said Tinsley when she saw his face.

"In the flesh darlin'" said Opie.

"But.... how?" Said Tinsley.

"Long story. Where's Jax?" Asked Opie.

Tinsley just stood there stareing. She thought she was completely losing her mind. There was no way that Opie was sitting in her driveway. He was dead. She had been to his funeral.

"Not back yet" said Half Sack when he realized Tinsley wasn't going to answer the question.

"I know seeing me has to be a shock of epic proportions but I promise to explain everything as soon as I can." Said Opie.

"But you died..." whispered Tinsley.

"All part of the plan hun." Said Opie.

I must be dreaming thought Tinsley. She had to be.

Before Tinsley could reply, the roar of a bike headed down her street. Turning in slow motion, she watched as the bike slowed to a stop beside her Suburban. As much as Tinsley wanted to go to him, her feet wouldn't let her move. She watched Jax come towards her, Half Sack and Opie. His head was down so he wasn't watching where he was walking. The closer he got to them, the more her heart began to race. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion expect for the beat of her heart. She knew this was going to shock Jax. It had all but given her a heart attack when she saw Opie's face. And then Opie spoke.

"Long time no see brother." Said Opie.

Jax stopped in his tracks, lifting his head to the voice who had just spoke to him. Tinsley saw the moment Jax made eye contact with Opie. She saw the questions in his eyes.

"Ope?" Whispered Jax.

"Been awhile" said Opie.

"I buried you. I toted your casket. I watched them load you into the ambulance. Is this some kind of fucked up dream?" Asked Jax.

"I'm sure it seems like it and I promise to explain everything." Said Opie as he walked towards Jax. He stopped right in front of him, pulling Jax into the "Bro-hug" that the two of them had shared so many times. The tears in Jax's eyes nearly broke Tinsley in half. She watched as Jax and Opie hugged, patting each other on the back. She could only imagine the thoughts running though his head. Regardless of their argument this morning, it didn't matter. She needed to know what the hell was going on in her world.

"I don't know about anyone else, but I could use a drink" said Tinsley after a few minutes.

"Yeah" said Jax.

"Same" said Opie.

The four of them made their way into the house and into the kitchen for a beer.