after charming |ez reyes|

2

Bishop and Ez had both invited Meredith to their clubhouse on Friday night with the boys. She was honestly excited to go. She hadn't really interacted with adults outside of a work setting in a long time. Thomas had pretty severe separation anxiety from Meredith so she didn't feel comfortable leaving them with a babysitter so she was grateful that the invitation extended to the boys.

"Mama?" Thomas asked, walking into her bedroom, holding his blanket. Mer looked at him and smiled, she was in the middle of getting ready. She put down her makeup and got on his level.

"What's up bud?" She asked, pulling him into her arms. It was very obvious that Thomas needed some extra love sometimes and she didn't mind giving it to him. She wanted to give him as much security and comfort as she could.

"You won't leave us, right?" Thomas said, bringing his blanket to his face to avoid eye contact. Mer sighed in sadness when he said this.

"Of course not, bear. I'll never ever leave you. That's why we are all going to the party tonight. Bishop and Ez will be there too. And the other guys. You liked Ez, you showed him your room, remember?" Thomas nodded as Meredith spoke in a calm voice. "Let's pack some toys for you and Abel," She kissed his forehead and released the embrace.

Thomas smiled, "Maybe you and Ez, can play too?" He asked while taking her hand.

"Yeah, of course." Mer smiled and walked into his room. She wanted adult time and wouldn't dare say no to her little bear.

Meredith and the boys headed over to the Mayan's Clubhouse after Mer helped pick their toys and she got them all ready. She put the boys in casual but cute clothes and did some makeup for herself.

She put a crop top tank top on and ripped jeans. If the boys hadn't been with she would have worn a dress but since she was a mother, it was function over fashion.

She unloaded everyone from the car and was greeted by a familiar face: Chucky. Her eyes filled with tears and she basically ran over to him with the boys trailing behind her, "It's so good to see you!" She said, giving him a tight hug.

"Meredith! What are you doing here? In Mayan territory?" He asked, quizzical as always but returned the hug, briefly.

"Hi Chucky. I remember you. My daddy told me funny stories about you," Abel smiled with his toothy little grin.

Thomas clutched to Mer's leg and she picked him up, "We live in Santo Padre now. You'll be seeing a lot more of us." She readjusted Thomas on her hip and her bag.

"Let's get you guys inside. I'll get you guys something to drink," Chucky said, nodding and leading the way inside. Mer took Abel's hand and followed them in. Her heart was happy. She needed to text Chibs and tell him.

Once they got inside, Abel took off running towards Angel and Coco who he had deemed his favorites.

Bishop approached her and smiled, "Welcome, I see you've already met Chucky." He motioned towards him.

"Yeah, actually, I've known Chucky since I was a teenager." Mer chuckled, "It's good to see him. Thanks for having us. Abel is already having a good time." She smiled as she watched Abel wrestle on the ground with Angel and Coco cheering it on.

"You're welcome here anytime. Marcus should be stopping by later if you're still here. There's also a room for the boys if they get tired." Bishop said nodding.

"Thank you again," She leaned in and kissed his cheek. She walked towards where Angel and Coco were. Mer looked around to try and see if Ez was there.

"Who you lookin for?" Angel asked, switching positions with Coco on who was wrestling with Abel. Mer sat down while Thomas stayed in her lap.

"Oh, uh, Ez. Thomas wanted to say hi," It wasn't fully a lie, she just left out the part that she wanted to say hi to him too.

"My little brother, huh?" Angel smirked, "Prospect should be here soon. He's probably getting beer or some shit." He grimaced when he realized he swore right next to Thomas.

"Oh no, don't worry. Thomas knows not to say bad words. I say them all the time." Mer smiled. "Do you wanna play with your brother, Coco, and Angel?" She asked, pushing his hair back.

He shook his head, "No, I wanna play with you and Ez." Mer nodded and hugged him tight.

It was hard with Thomas, he had been regressing lately due to all the trauma in his early life and Meredith knew she had to be patient with him. Angel got down on one knee and looked at Thomas, "I'll go see where he is, okay buddy?"

Thomas showed a small smile and hid his face again. Meredith mouthed 'thank you' and watched as he walked away. She was introduced to the rest of the club and when she was done with introductions, Ez was walking in carrying cases of beer.

Thomas lit up. She had no idea why the man brought him so much out of his shell, but he did. Ez smiled when he saw Mer and Thomas sitting and walked over to them, "Hey guys? Partying without me?"

"Hardly," Mer laughed softly, slightly relaxing.

"Can I get you a beer or something?" Ez asked, looking back towards the bar towards Bishop, but Bishop waved him off.

"Well, Thomas was actually looking forward to playing with you. So maybe I go get us some beers and you two boys wait for me?" Mer asked, she knew it was a stretch, but she couldn't help but toss it out there.

Thomas nodded eagerly, "I'll wait with Ez and show him the toys."

"Cool with me," Ez agreed and Meredith walked to the beer. Her heart filled with relief. She could almost cry.

Bishop noticed and walked over, "You okay, linda?" He opened her beer bottle for her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. Thomas just isn't comfortable around anyone except me so it's like a breath of fresh air that he's taking to Ez so well." Her eyes started to water, "It's been so hard being alone, but I couldn't stay in Charming after my mom, Jax, Juice..." She trailed off, her gut sinking.

"Hey, you aren't alone now. You have this rag tag group of guys." Bishop smiled. She looked and saw Abel now playing with Gilly and Taza and Angel has joined Thomas and Ez.

Mer nodded, things were going to get better. "Thank you. Thank you for taking me in when I'm basically a stranger," She whispered.