Chapter Text
“Maybe sometimes we feel afraid, but it's alright. The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change. Don't you think it's strange?”
Tara realized that while snuggling with Jax was something she could do all day, every day she had to get up, eat, do laundry, and run errands. Meanwhile, Jax strategically decided that walking shirtless around the house after taking a shower was completely appropriate.
Tara’s hormones agreed but her mind knew better. She made sure to get real busy with the laundry. Jax knew she was hiding so he went looking for her. As she was putting clothes in the dryer, he leaned up against the washer.
“Tara, I need you to listen carefully. I know things are fucked up between us and it’s my fault. No matter what you say though, you are still my Old Lady and always will be. So it’s still full disclosure.” He paused, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and Tara couldn’t help but melt into his embrace.
“I’m going out of town for about a week. The Irish are acting strange and have been spotted in Santa Clara. This isn’t just the RIRA. They are big players. A prospect will be with you at all times, but you have to be careful. They are still looking for payback after we got Abel back and exposed their black market baby factory.”
Tara became very still. She prayed he wasn’t trying to take them on because the reason they were there wasn’t to hurt her but she couldn’t tell him any of the bizarre family history just yet. Then he said something that chilled her to the bone.
“Some Russians that are new to the area have sent out signals that they want to do business. These aren’t the strip club Russian mafia we usually deal with. They are oligarchs and old money that have real international power. It could help us get enough to go legit and not have to run guns and pussy anymore.”
Tara knew exactly what types of Russians they were and they weren’t the good kind. She couldn’t tell Jax anything until she talked to her dad’s cousin so she knew the only thing to do now was get Jax to stay with her until Sunday because she needed all the protection she could get until the Irish made it to Charming.
Tara felt like she was never good at seduction. Mainly because it didn’t take much to seduce Jax. Since he was sixteen, if she smiled in his general direction he was ready to drag her to the nearest cave. In college, she didn’t have to work much harder. She was one of the prettiest girls on campus and after she finally started dating her junior year she had a couple of steady boyfriends and even threw a one-night stand in the mix.
With all of this in mind, she felt like Mata Hari working her charms. “When are you leaving?” Tara put on her best nervous face. Jax looked at her and could sense a change in her demeanor. “Sunday, so three days. I’m staying at the clubhouse, my mom has Abel.” Tara knew she had to work quickly because he was putting on his white shirt and reaching for the kutte.
”Do you want to stay for dinner? I’m making some of my mom’s dishes, borscht with dumplings. I crave it a lot lately so I keep all of the ingredients handy. Jax loved borscht and dumplings. Tara made it for him in high school. He made fun of it at first because it always sounded weird but was shocked at how good it was when Tara made it. The dumplings were amazing too.
She hadn’t made any for him since high school, even after they got back together when she returned to Charming. He had nowhere to be until they were leaving town on Sunday and dinner with Tara was so much better than the Croweater cooking at the clubhouse.
“That is definitely the good stuff. I’m going to grab some smokes at the gas station and will be right back.”
As soon as Jax was off on his bike she dialed her cousin. She only called when absolutely necessary so he picked up right away. She told him everything Jax said and the information on the new Russians.
“He is right about the high-end Irish that just got here. They are actually in Redding to throw off the scent. The Russians are in Stockton so do whatever you have to do to get him to stay with you until Sunday.”
Tara was nervous about letting Jax back in. “Can’t I have Hale watch me?” The response wasn’t unexpected. “Look, I know he hurt you, but he knows how to deal with what is going to go down. He is the father of your baby and will protect you no matter what. Tap into your self-preservation and do whatever you have to do to get through this.”
Not that she was complaining and definitely liked the idea of “whatever you have to do” and finally putting those hormones to use tonight.
Her cousin’s instructions brought her back to Earth. “This will give the Fenians time to get to Charming. Whatever you do, do NOT leave your house. Make sure the safe room is set up and everything is on lockdown.”
He continued, “They have been biding their time since Abel was taken. Hell, they have been on this trail for almost a hundred years so they know how to play the long game. Do not underestimate them. They know you are pregnant so that makes you vulnerable. If they somehow get past all of this, do not fight them. The safety of you and the baby is absolutely essential.”
She knew this was the end game. “Hey, your dad and mom prepared you for this. You can speak Russian, Ukrainian, and Gaelic fluently so keep your ears open if they do get to you.”
Tara had dinner going by the time Jax was back and offered him a beer. “Since when do you keep beer around, babe, you’re pregnant.” Tara laughed, “It’s been there forever but they're still good.” Jax grabbed one and watched as Tara prepared the food.
He always loved watching her cook and take care of everyone. He missed this desperately. In his mind, he was going to win her back no matter how long it because he wanted to come home to this, her caring for him, Abel, and now JT too. During the eleven miserable years they were apart, he thought every single night how he wanted her to come home so they could have this.
Tara served dinner and made sure Jax had everything he needed and put one of her favorite records on quietly. She was trying not to appear over the top, but was already planning how to keep him after dinner. As she started on the dishes, he came up behind her and put his arms around her. He started kissing her neck. She leaned back into him and let him work his way to kissing her mouth.
She moaned into his mouth and the switch in him flipped. “I have to have you, Tara. Please let me back in. I want to take care of you and our family.” Tara ran her hands through his hair and led him to the bedroom.