Chapter 11 Reason

Chapter 11

I do not own SOA or Twilight.

Chibs rubbed his weary eyes and cranked his head Ava’s direction. She was tossing and turning and talking in her sleep. He reached over and adjusted the oxygen tube to her nose. But as he did this she let out a bit of whimper and called to him in her sleep. “Ava…,” he whispered with concern. He was quick to react as she violently jarred her body about. She let out this high-pitched scream and it was enough to send the man chills.

“Ava!” He called behind a little more force.

He pinned her down so she wouldn’t hurt herself. The young woman shot awake and sucked back a breath.

“Easy now, lass…”

“Filip?” She said in a quivery voice.

The Scot nodded and loosened the grip around her wrists.

“I need ye ta calm down and breathe with me…”

He breathed through his nose and Ava followed his example.

“Thatta girl… Nice and slow. Get that oxygen flowin’ through ye…”

He kissed her forehead and drew back a breath.

“Now I really need ye ta listen ta me. Yer not to move from this bed, unless ye have some sort of assistance. I mean it and ye gotta take it easy. Meanin’ yer gonna be spendin’ a lot of time right here. Ye got lucky, Ava darlin’. The surgery went better than expected. We were able ta get the air out with no issues but we had ta make a couple incisions and seal the area that was punctured. It was just as I suspected one of yer ribs punctured on through. But we got it all squared away. Yer gonna be sore as hell. But I’ll help ye through it. It’s gonna take some breathin’ exercises and a little rehab ta build that lung of yers back up. That’s another thing, I’m cuttin’ ye off smokes, until we get ye on the road ta recovery. Ye don’t need them around that oxygen anyhow. Not unless ye plan on goin’ up in flames. I’ll be given ye some injections off and on ta make certain ye don’t go and have yerself a blood clot and we gotta keep an eye on yer feet and legs. If ye notice ANYTHING out of the norm, ye had better holler. I mean it, Ava. This isn’t somethin’ we can fuck around with. I’m all ye got now. So ye had better prepare… I’ll nag ye ta death if I hafta.”

“So you keep me alive just long enough to kill me yourself?”

He shook his head but with a touch of a smirk.

“Back ta bein’ a pain in me arse…”

“Always…”

Chibs put his forehead to hers.

“I love ye, pain in the arse and all.”

“I love you too, Scottish temper and all.”

He chuckled and reached into his pocket. Ava looked to him in question as he brought out her engagement ring.

“I wasn’t takin’ any chances.” He hinted and she nodded in understanding as he put it back on.

He kissed her ring finger then rolled back over.

“First thing’s first let’s get ye somethin’ ta eat and drink. But we’re keepin’ ye on a strict diet at first until I see how ye do.”

“Diet?!”

The way she said this had him laughing.

“And there ye go, readin’ too much inta things. Ye need a diet like I need more gray in me hair!”

Ava reached over and ran her fingers through it.

“It’s more white than gray and it’s sexy.”

Chibs reared back on this.

“Sexy?”

“Yeah it gives you that distinguished look.”

“Distinguished?!” He said behind a chuckle of mere amusement.

She nodded.

“I think ye have a thang fur old men in general.”

She frowned on this.

“I have a ‘thang’ for YOU and you’re not old, Filip.”

“Says the cute little twenty-one year old.”

“Ugh… You know I hate when you do that.” She said with a painful wince.

Chibs lowered the bed sheet and checked on the area. He went on to show her the aftermath.

“It shouldn’t scar much.”

She nodded but giggled as he ran his hand along her breast.

“Are ye cold?” He teased seeing as how her nipples were nice and erect.

“Freezing…”

He placed the bed sheet back over her then grabbed a quilt off a nearby chair. He covered her up but used caution as he held her.

“Let’s get ye warmed up then we can worry aboot gettin’ some food in that tummy.”

“Chibs?”

“Hm?”

“Why am I naked?”

“I figured ye wouldn’t wanna wake up covered in blood; so I got ye cleaned up. Didn’t see the point in puttin’ yer clothes on after. Besides, it’s the way I prefer ye.” He uttered with a playful wink.

“You bathed me…?” She asked with a quivery lip.

He narrowed his eyes but nodded.

“It’s no more than what ye did fur me…”He reminded as to his time in the hospital.

Ava backtracked on what he’d said earlier.

“Chibs?”

“Yeah?”

“What did you mean by – I’m all you got? I thought Tara and the caretaker were helping you.”

Chibs drew back a breath on this. He didn’t want to lie but knew she didn’t need the added stress. Even with the oxygen she struggled just to breathe. He knew it was going to take some time to gain her strength back.

“Aye… But something came up and at the moment; I’m what ye got.”

“Probably for the best…”

He tilted his head in question.

“I’m likely to kill Tara if I see her again.”

Chibs let out a nervous chuckle but was quick to change the subject.

“Are ye warm now?”

She nodded.

“Good deal. I’ll get ye some food and ye can take yer meds afterward.”

---

“How’s the patient?”

Chibs peered back as he was making Ava some soup.

“She’s comin’ around…”

“Well I bet that’s a load off your shoulders.”

“Ye’ve no idea…”

Gemma smiled and handed him a beer.

“Thanks.”

She nodded as he took it to the label. He set it down then poured the soup into a bowl.

“There are trays in that cabinet.”

Chibs opened the one she was pointing to and retrieved one. He got everything set up and placed Ava’s pills in one of the sections.

“So how do you feel about your old lady carrying her ex’s head around?”

The Scot reared back on this. Gemma nodded and pointed to the duffle bag.

“You’re shite’n me.”

“Not even a little.”

He stopped what he was doing and walked on over. Chibs opened the bag and recoiled.

“Jaysus…,” he murmured.

“What’s she doin’ with this?!”

“Haven’t a clue… But I wouldn’t get on her bad side. She might have a secret trophy room we don’t know about.”

Chibs grabbed a fistful of the vampire’s hair and lifted the head out of the bag. He curled his lip in disgust. The man reached over and moved Edward’s lips about as if he were talking.

“I’m sorry, Bella, but I can’t have sex with you because… well… because I’m a pussy.”

Gemma reared back on Chibs’s little show.

“You see pussies can’t penetrate. You should have that mechanic of yours do it. He knows all about those sorts of things. I’m a 100 year old virgin!”

Tig had just walked in and came to a halt.

“You’re doing it wrong.”

Chibs stopped what he was doing and looked over.

“That’s not how you get head.”

Chibs chuckled and put the head back.

“Do I even want to know what THAT was about?” Gemma asked.

“Sounds like he plucked the virgin before the vampire could and I thought they were fast.”

The Scot couldn’t help but to get that cocky grin.

“Not fast enough…” He uttered with a winning smile.

“Or maybe that was the problem…” Tig added.

“He was too fast…”

The Scot and Gemma had a good laugh at this.

---

Ava pushed the rest of her soup aside and lay back, closing her eyes. Chibs peered over taking notice of her rather pale complexion.

“Ye alright?”

“Feeling a little nausea.”

He nodded and finished his sandwich.

“That’s ta be expected. Could be the anesthesia, it takes a bit ta wear off. Looks like ye held yer Sprite down pretty good.”

“Yeah that was like heaven…”

He chuckled a bit and dusted the breadcrumbs off his hands. Chibs came to a stand and washed up before checking on her vitals. She was out before he even finished. He nodded amongst himself and put her tray away. Chibs looked towards the nightstand as his cellphone was ringing.. He was quick to grab it so it wouldn’t wake Ava.

“Jackie?” He answered as he headed into the hallway.

“You gonna fill me in on what’s going on, or not.”

Chibs sighed and glanced towards the bathroom in recollection.

“Aye, but not right now…”

“That bad, huh?”

“Yeah…”

“Jesus… And I’m guessing my mother has something to do with all this, considering she’s up and vanished as well?”

“Not sure how ta answer that, kid.”

“Meaning she is…”

“Ye know I’ll let ye in, if I could. Just not right now. I just need ye ta trust me.”

“Trust has never been an issue, you know that.”

“Then let’s just leave it at that.”

“When can we expect you?”

Chibs paused for a moment and glanced back towards the room Ava was in.

“Aboot a week or so, give or take.”

“Please tell me everyone’s still ‘intact’…”

“As intact as ye can get…”

“Why do I not like the sound of that?”

“Ye fuckin’ that dream girl of Ava’s yet?”

“Huh?”

“I was just wonderin’. Ye sound a little stressed. Maybe it’s time ta dive inta that.”

“You sure your old lady doesn’t have claims to her already?”

“Would it matter?”

“Are you by chance drunk?”

“I wish… Look, I gotta go, kid. I’ll be there soon. I promise.”

“Alright then. I’ll see you soon.”

Chibs hung up the phone and staggered back against the wall. He pinched his eyes shut and shook his head in utter misery.

---

Chibs removed the tube from Ava’s nose and sat her up.

“Alright now, I want ye ta try some deep breaths but nice and slow, in and out.”

He made an example of himself then gestured for her to do so as well.

“Now lay back down and this time yer gonna lift up on yer own. But keep it slow and take yer time.”

Ava nodded and did as requested. Only when it came time to lift back up she let out a painful yelp.

“Aye now… Yer movin’ too fast.” He helped her up and gave her a little break.

“Just focus on those nice deep breaths. Make that lung of yers work so it can build back up.”

Chibs laid her back down and had her try yet again.

“There ye go… Now back down.”

“Chibs…” She whined and he gave her a touch of a smile.

“I know it hurts but the more ye work on it, the better ye’ll feel.”

“Some water would be great right now.”

He nodded and grabbed the water off the nightstand. Ava downed it and lay down for a moment.

“Tell ye what… Ye do a couple more and I’ll get ye a nice bath goin’. I can wrap that area up so it won’t get wet.”

“A bath sounds really good.”

Chibs brushed her hair back and wiped a stray tear off her cheek.

“Somethin’ on yer mind?” He asked with concern.

“Hard to pinpoint just one…” she hinted and he nodded in understanding.

“Ye ever been ta Scotland?”

She shook her head no.

“Why don’t I take ye there someday? Just the two of us. Ye can learn aboot me roots.”

“You mean besides these?” She teased whilst pointing to his graying hair.

“Play nice now… I’d hate ta bust yer arse in yer condition.”

Ava lifted up yet again and took those deep breaths. He nodded as she lay back down but with more ease this time round.

“One more, Ava darlin’.”

“Chibs?”

“Hm?”

“Think you’ll ever go back to Ireland?”

“Why ye ask?”

“Just curious… After what happened, you think the ban is still on?”

Chibs looked to be in thought as Ava finished her last set.

“I haven’t the faintest. But I’ve no reason ta go back now anyhow.”

“You’ve just as much right as Jimmy…”

“I’m afraid ye done lost me.”

“Chibs, it’s like I told you back in Forks. You need that closure. This is your wife and daughter we’re talking about.”

“And what are ye expectin’ me ta do?”

“Pay your respects and let that asshole know that even in death they are still YOUR family! Hell, they were never his to begin with!”

“Ava, why are ye divin’ inta all this now?”

“We’re getting married and you’ve yet to hash this out.”

“There’s nothin’ left ta hash out.”

“So just like that… He wins?”

“What are ye doin’?” Chibs questioned with a touch of anger.

“That isn’t the Chibs Telford I know. You hold your family and the Sons in higher regards than anyone. It’s not like you to accept defeat.”

“AND WHAT WILL YE HAVE ME DO, AVA? THEY’RE DEAD! THERE’S NOTHIN’ TA GO BACK TA, OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF GRAVES!”

“EXACTLY!”

“So ye want me ta drop everythin’, head back to Ireland, so I can gawk at a couple tombstones, and reminisce about all the shite Jimmy O’ put me through?”

“No. I want you to go back to Ireland, so you can remember the good times and give yourself that closure you’ve always needed. I know things between you and Fiona went to shit. And frankly, I couldn’t care less when it comes to her. I keep my opinions to myself out of respect for you. But Kerrianne was robbed of her father and getting to know just how big of a heart you have. She never knew about the things you did in order to save her and her mother. And there’s no telling what Jimmy and Fiona told her.”

“What are ye?”

Ava looked to him in bewilderment.

“Yer ta become my wife, yet yer concerned about the way I wrap everythin’ up with my other family?”

The young woman took his hand into her own.

“It’s what you need and deep down you know it.”

“And when are ye gonna say yer goodbyes?” He hinted in return.

“Just as soon as we take care of the assholes responsible.”

Chibs nodded.

“I tell ye what; we go visit the old man so I can pay my respects as well and let him know that I only have the best intentions for ye. Then we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do about Ireland.”

Ava regarded him in wonder.

“I’d like fur Kerrianne ta meet her stepmother.”

A knot formed within the back of Ava’s throat.

“Chibs…”

“Come now… She’d have loved you and I know it.”

“I somehow doubt that. Sorry, just callin’ it the way I see it.”

“And yer wrong… I know ye. It comes naturally. Yer gonna be one hell of a mother one day. And that’s what Kerrianne needed. Now don’t get me wrong I loved Fi but she wasn’t exactly ‘motherly’. Yer a little bit of everythin’ and Kerrianne would’ve seen that. Fi was too focused on herself and Jimmy ta give Kerrianne what she truly needed. And ye haven’t any idea just how much that’s fucked with me over the years. Even then I knew my daughter was missin’ out, when it came ta a lovin’ mother and father. If ye had been in her life, even as a stepmother… she’d have known what ‘family’ truly meant. Why do ye think I’m willin’ ta put my heart on the line and give it another go? If I didn’t have ye, I’d have never considered gettin’ remarried and children would be out of the question. But now I find myself cravin’ the forbidden. I want what I never had… I want it all, Ava darlin’. Everything I missed out on. My only regret, is not having Kerrianne here ta experience it as well. She deserved better. Better than anything Fi or I had ta offer. She deserved someone like ye.”

“Dammit, Chibs!”

“What?!”

“Annnd now I’m crying!” She wailed and Chibs let out an emotional chuckle of his own.

He helped her off the bed and kissed her.

“I wasn’t meanin’ ta make ye cry, lass. Just bein’ honest. Let’s get ye that bath now.”

---

Few days later…

“Doesn’t that hurt your back?” Ava taunted as she was getting a drink at the sink.

“…shit…” Gemma uttered as Tig was going down on her at the dining room table.

“Well at least you’re eating in the right room…” Ava further taunted.

“Do you mind?!” Gemma called out.

“No. You two go on. It’s a public area, so technically this is a free show.”

Chibs entered the area as well and reared back. He wasn’t sure what he was more blown away by, Gemma and Tig, or his old lady just standing there watching.

“Ava…” He called out and Gemma damn near kicked Tig in the face in order to get him away from her.

“Huh?”

“What are ye doin’?”

“Getting a drink.”

“I can see that, but why are ye just standin’ there watchin’?”

“Because you own a porn studio; I figured I might as well get used to the idea.”

Chibs didn’t comment and was quick to leave the room. Ava giggled amongst herself. She pointed to Tig as Gemma was pulling her pants up.

“You have a little something…” The young woman pointed to his chin and handed him a napkin.

Gemma rolled her eyes as he actually went on to pat the area down. Ava smiled.

“There you go! Nobody likes a messy eater.” She called on the way out.

Tig looked to Gemma afterward. It took a lot to make the woman blush, but Ava certainly managed to pull it off. She just stood there looking to the doorway in a complete stupor.

“Are you certain Jax doesn’t have a sister?!”

---

Ava had just passed Mr. Madock’s bedroom, when she could’ve sworn she heard what sounded to be crying. She inched her way over and put her ear up against the door. The young woman looked to the other bedrooms knowing that everyone else was sound asleep as it was three in the morning. She knocked on the door; when there wasn’t an answer she let herself in. Her jaw dropped and she rushed on over as the man had a gun in his mouth.

“Dad…” She called out in sheer desperation.

The man looked over and Ava shook her head.

“What are you doing?”

She cut him a stern look and held her hand out. He’d this shameful presence about him and handed the gun over.

“I can’t believe you! What were you thinking?!” She said doing her best to sound just like “Gemma”.

Ava sighed and took him by the hand.

“Let’s go for a walk, clear that head of yours.”

He nodded and came to his feet. Ava pocketed the gun and led him outside. Once they were out the door, the man broke down and kept apologizing, profusely. Ava found herself hugging him and letting him know everything was going to be just fine.

“Did I kill someone?” The man questioned and Ava dropped her hold.

She looked him in the eyes.

“Now why would you think that?”

“I shot someone, didn’t I?”

“You didn’t shoot anyone.”

“The bodies…” The man said looking confused.

“Bodies?”

He nodded.

“There were two. I think.”

Ava tilted her head on this.

“Two?”

He pointed to the house.

“They’re in the basement, I think I killed them. Help me, Gemma. Please. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Ava cupped his chin.

“You didn’t kill anyone and you haven’t hurt anyone either. Do you understand?”

He nodded but had that unsure look about him.

“Look, why don’t I take you into the basement and you can see for yourself?”

“And if I did?”

“You didn’t. I promise. We’re going to go in there and you’re going to see that everything is perfectly fine. It was just a bad dream.”

Ava led him back inside and to the basement. Once they had the door open, she reached over and turned on the light. They headed on down the stairs and when they got to the bottom she showed him there wasn’t anything to worry about. He looked around the area with a touch of relief. Ava smiled and waved her hands about.

“See? Nothing. You must’ve been dreaming.” But as she said this, something caught her eye.

Ava picked up the familiar watch sitting on a nearby shelf. She observed the items sitting beneath. She picked up one of the containers and read the ingredients. The young woman went on to read the others as well. This had her thinking back to her chemistry days and she was piecing it all together.

“Acid…” She whispered amongst herself.

“Did you say something?”

Ava forced a smile and lifted her eyes Mr. Madock’s direction.

“No, daddy. See everything’s just fine.”

He nodded and sat in one of the old wheelchairs. Ava glanced towards the drainage area within the basement. She grabbed a flathead screwdriver and used it to prop the area open. She placed the flathead inside and gathered whatever gunk was left. She clamped a hand over her mouth as there was a nest of hair and it was covered in some sort of pink residue.

“Dad?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Do you mind getting me a sandwich bag?”

“Do you want a sandwich too?”

“No, just the bag.”

“Okay.”

Mr. Madock headed out and before long he returned with the sandwich bag. Ava placed the hair and residue inside the bag and zipped it shut.

“Block in the drain again?”

“Looks like it. I’ll get it taken care of. You should get back to bed.”

Ava pocketed the watch and escorted him on out of the basement. She put him to bed then bagged up anything ‘harmful’ within the room. She sat with him until he was sound asleep. But just as soon as she left the room, she took her evidence into the kitchen and was looking it over. Ava thought about what Chibs had said about him being the only one. She regarded the watch and laughed amongst herself.

“I’m reading waaay too much into this.” She whispered.

After a few minutes of just staring at the items, she went and gathered the chemicals. She wanted to test this theory herself. She placed the hair and residue into the kitchen sink and made up a small batch. Once she finished, Ava placed a medical mask over her face. She opened the window to the kitchen. After getting everything set up for safety purposes she poured the contents over the hair.

“Jesus….” She whispered and staggered back as it was evaporating right before her.

Ava jumped as she heard someone enter the kitchen. She had this deer caught in headlights appearance as the troubled man approached her.

“Where is she?”

He tilted his head and glanced towards the sink.

“A little late for chemistry, don’t ye think?”

“Depends on the chemistry… This isn’t exactly my favorite pastime.”

The Scot nodded and picked up the watch.

“Only ye… I swear, Ava. An entire squadron could’ve searched this place inside out and not found shite! Yet ye go and find what shouldn’t be possible. We had it taken care of.”

“There’s no such thing as ridding of all evidence. You and I BOTH know that. So what is this, Chibs? What happened?!”

He pulled out a chair and motioned for her to have a seat. He sat beside her and tapped his fingers along the watch.

“I’m guessin’ ye recognize this?”

“Kind of hard not to.”

He nodded and slid it on over.

“I didn’t have a choice. She was aboot five seconds away from rattin’ ye out.”

Ava narrowed her eyes on this.

“Believe me. It’s not the way I wanted things ta go. But I done told ye that no one was goin’ ta put yer life at risk and I meant what I said. So aye, I took care of the situation.”

Ava’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach.

“Does he know?”

Chibs shook his head and Ava recoiled.

“How do you think he’ll…”

“I haven’t a clue and I thought ye wanted her dead.”

“Jesus Chibs, wanting something and actually doing it, are two different things entirely. As much as I hated the bitch I wouldn’t have killed her.”

“If I hadn’t, ye would’ve been exposed and those agents would’ve taken us all down in order ta get to ye. I hadn’t a choice!”

“And the caretaker?!”

“Saw too much…”

“So in order to save my ass you had to take two other lives?!”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” Ava hissed and Chibs slapped his hand along the table then pointed upon her.

“Do ye know what I told yer old man before I left?”

Ava looked to the Scot in surprise. She wasn’t aware they even talked.

“I told him that I’d always look after ye. That I’d do anythin’ ta keep ye safe, even if I could never be a part of yer life. And here we are… I failed in keepin’ that promise. Because of that yer old man is six feet under and yer on the fuckin’ run! All I did was prove the old man right!”

“You can’t put that on yourself. We were in agreement from the very beginning. We knew it couldn’t go any further than what it was. You had your life; I had mine. As for my father? He was blinded by his own hatred. If he had gotten to know the man I know, he would’ve given you that chance.”

“Nah… He was right aboot me. He was a cop and I’m a criminal. He had every right, keeping ye away from me. Look around ye… THIS is what I do, Ava. This is what yer marryin’ inta. This is what we’d be raisin’ a family in.”

“Not if you become president.”

Chibs had a good laugh at this.

“I done pissed that away, darlin’.”

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m right where I need ta be.”

“Meaning I just ruined your chances at the gavel and I got two people killed.”

Chibs reached over and pulled her into his lap.

“I have my boys and I have ye. The gavel was just a bonus. I got what I want right here. But I’m strugglin’ … I done lost a brother and two of them betrayed me. And it seems as if the one person that means the world ta me is hangin’ on by a thread. So yeah, I killed the backstabbin’ bitch and Tig took care of the nurse, because yer life is what matters. I don’t care if it pisses ye off. I will take out ANYONE that stands in my way.”

“President or not, you have a voice. Use it. Remind them what the Sons are truly about. I know you, Chibs. You have what it takes to open their eyes. And as for me? I’m not worth another life!”

“Did ye or did ye not offer yers ta the Volturi in order ta save mine?!”

“That’s different and you know it!”

“Nah… and ye might as well quit arguin’ with me on this. Nothin’ ye say is gonna change my mind.”

“Fine. What if I dump you and call the wedding off?”

“Ye can try it but I’ll hogtie yer arse and drag ye down the aisle anyhow.”

“So romantic.”

“Aye, I thought so.”

Chibs caressed her cheek and looked to be in thought.

“Ye do realize when I say what I do aboot us gettin’ hitched and havin’ a family it’s not ta sway ye out of it, right?”

“I won’t lie, it certainly sounds like it.”

“Not even a little. I’m just wantin’ ye ta have a heads up. Not every old lady gets that. I don’t ever want ye caught flatfooted. I want ye prepared for whatever comes our way. Keep that head of yers up and watch yer back, always. That’s the only way of survival. We can’t allow our hearts ta be louder than our reason and I need the boys ta see that as well. The Sons have a long way ta go and so do we. If I had listened to this…” Chibs pointed to the area of his heart.

“Tara would be alive and so would the caretaker. But that’s not the only thing, if I had listened ta my heart… I’d have never given us a chance. I love ye too much and draggin’ ye inta all this… scares the ever livin’ shite out of me. It would’ve been easier lettin’ ye go, knowin’ yer livin’ a better life. A loving husband that’s closer ta yer age, a couple of kids, a house by one of them private schools, and maybe a big dog that greets ye every time ye come in the door. When I left ye back in Forks, that’s what I wanted fur ye, Ava darlin’. Ye deserve so much more than I can ever offer. Now I know I can give ye kids and maybe that dog. But I’ll never be THAT man. That’s what I mean by reason. Reason as in takin’ this club where it needs ta be; the way JT meant fur it ta be. And reason as in proving that you and I have what it takes.”

“So what you’re saying is… We do whatever it takes to get there, no matter how ugly it gets?”

He nodded.

“And what if that’s all there ever is and the finish line gets further and further away?”

“Then we keep up the fight and do our dammest not to get in over our heads.”

“Jax says we’re there already.”

“Aye and it may certainly feel like it. But we’re not quite there yet. Trust me ye’d know when we’re there and that’s when ye’d better get ta prayin’.”

“Maybe now’s a good time to become an alcoholic.”

“Takin’ the old drunken mechanic route, now are we?”

“I just might.” She said with a playful smile.

Ava wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Chibs brought her against his chest and ran a soothing hand along her back. He cleared his throat and looked to the duffle bag sitting in one of the chairs now.

“So ye gonna tell me why yer haulin’ the vampire kid’s head around?”

“Leverage.”

“Leverage?”

“If he has no head there’s no way of putting him back together.”

“Go on…” Chibs uttered with curiosity.

“Alice is out there, somewhere and I figured it best if I hang on to it for now.”

“Gotcha…”

Alice… Chibs thought with a frown. The only Cullen he ever respected was that of Jasper Cullen. But the Scot couldn’t stand Alice. Something about her was so fake. That annoying laugh and how she was always right in your business. Along with that whole I’m going to get my way, no matter what attitude didn’t fly with Chibs Telford. She had tried it a couple times with him and she didn’t take kindly to him catching on so quick. But one of the times that always stuck with him was when he’d overheard Alice getting on to Bella for how she dressed. He remembered the way Bella looked to her clothes then back to Alice. She’d this puzzled look about her. But Chibs saw it for what it was. The vampire was looking down upon her for not having the Cullen’s “rich” taste. Whereas Alice and Rosalie dressed in the latest fashion and wore high heels, Bella was in her usual blue jeans and with that adorable tomboy look. Something Chibs found incredibly sexy. He loved those tight little jeans. But he was digging the ‘Ava’ look as of late as well. Hell, maybe it was just her in general. There was something about those little skirts of hers. They drove the man crazy. He could only imagine the look of disapproval when it came to Tinkerbell as he always called her. His little Swan – sex on legs and he loved every minute of it.

“Chibs…” Ava whispered with a giggle as she could feel his arousal.

“And what are you thinking about?”

“Just some small town girl with really tight blue jeans.” He admitted and bucked off the seat a bit.

“Her… Huh?”

“Oh yeah… She wanted me ta teach her all about stick drivin’.”

“Did she now?”

“Aye and she was always shovin’ those headlights of hers in my face.”

She lifted her head up and he chuckled.

“I did not!”

“Yeah you did… those little shirts of yers. Ye knew what ye were doin’.”

Ava frowned on this. Chibs gathered this serious mien and locked eyes with hers.

“Do ye remember our first kiss?”

The young woman blushed in memory and Chibs smiled.

“I was sick…”

He nodded.

“Ye told me not ta come near ye cause ye didn’t want me gettin’ what ye had. Yer nose was all red and snotty and ye had that ugly cough. But ye came by the shop anyhow and sat there while I was workin’. Now I know ye hate it, but there are times yer too damn cute and that was one of them days.Ye were miserable, yet you still came up there ta see me. Somethin’ about that… it really hit home. I remember lookin’ over and yer cheeks were all rosy and those lips of yers were all pouty. I had ta kiss ye…”

Ava ran a hand along his chest and smiled.

“And you were sick not long after.”

“Aye… but it was worth it. I never said it but that’s how I knew…”

“Knew?”

“That I loved ye. It’s not every day a man gets tempted by a woman that smells like vapor rub and is goin’ through an entire box of tissues and fur once that kiss hadn’t anythin’ ta do with sex. I just remember wantin’ ta kiss ye.”

“I never knew that…”

He nodded.

“Well now ye do.”

Chibs cleared his throat.

“Ye need ta take yer meds and get back ta bed.”

Ava nodded but rested her head along his shoulder.

“Just a little longer…”

Chibs didn’t argue this. He kissed the top of her head and held her.

---

“Gemma, is that you?”

Ava nodded she sat at the edge of Mr. Madock’s bed. She smiled and handed him his pills and a glass of water. He took the pills and chased them down with the water.

“I got breakfast waiting on the table. Why don’t you get dressed and join me?”

“Now?”

“Well yes, before it gets cold.”

Ava helped him out of the bed and he headed into the bathroom. She’d seen Gemma walk him through this so she took it upon herself to do so; mainly out of fear that Gemma wouldn’t wake up in time and Mr. Madock would hurt himself. After walking in on his suicidal attempt she wasn’t taking any chances. It wasn’t long before Mr. Madock exited the bathroom. Ava gestured towards the clothes she’d laid out. She pecked him on the cheek just as Gemma would and left him to it. She stood right outside the door however so she could hear him. When he stepped out Ava adjusted the collar to his shirt.

“This was one of your mother’s favorites.”

Ava smiled.

“I can see why. You look very handsome.”

The man smiled and followed Ava into the dining area. She pulled out a chair for him and got him situated. Once he finished his breakfast, Ava slid a picture over. Not just any picture…

“Do you know who that is?”

“That’s you…” The man said with a warm smile.

Ava smiled in return but shook her head no.

“I can see the resemblance… But that’s not me. That’s your daughter Gemma. Only she’s quite young here. She’s a little older now. And she’s got a son name Jackson and a grandchild named Abel.” Ava showed him pictures of Jax and Abel.

“I have grandchildren?!”

Ava swallowed back on this and nodded.

“Yes, sir. You sure do and they are very handsome boys with bright blue eyes.”

Ava caught Chibs through the corner of her eye. She held up a hand stopping him from entering the room. He gave a mere nod and stayed put. Ava went on to tell Mr. Madock all about Jax and Abel, aside from anything MC related. She told him how Jax was a mechanic and how Abel was learning to crawl. Chibs looked on rather impressed as the older man keyed in on Ava’s every word. She even went as far as to mimic some of Abel’s baby sounds. Mr. Madock chuckled a couple of times and had a genuine beam about him.

“Your daughter is a wonderful grandmother, Mr. Madock. You should see how she is with that grandbaby. And that smile whenever he’s around.”

“Have I met them?”

Ava drew back a breath and glanced Chibs’s direction.

“Yes, actually you have. They’re quite fond of you.”

Chibs nodded understanding her reasoning for the little white lie. He wondered where she got the photo album in the first place. Ava showed Mr. Madock a picture of Gemma and what she looked like now.

“Isn’t she beautiful?”

Mr. Madock nodded and had this tearful look about him. He looked to the picture of the little girl then back to the grownup version.

“My little girl’s all grown up with babies of her own.”

Ava smiled on this.

“She sure is.”

Ava froze however as Gemma entered the room. She nodded towards her and Gemma sent Ava this mistrusting glance. Chibs drew back a breath and entered the room just in case.

“And there she is now!” Ava called out and pointed to Gemma.

Mr. Madock came to his feet and caught Gemma by absolute surprise as he hugged her.

“I’m so proud of you. Such a beautiful family you have. You did good, Gemma. I always knew you would.”

Gemma looked to Ava in question and Ava gave a simple nod.

“Well I’ll leave you to it…”

But just as she was to leave the kitchen, Ava leaned into Gemma’s ear.

“Whatever you do… do not leave him unattended.”

She didn’t give the woman a chance to question it as she was quick to exit the room. Chibs followed Ava into the bedroom and shut the door behind him.

“How’d ye do that?”

“Do what?”

“Ye know what… That’s the first time I’ve seen him smile or laugh since we’ve been here.”

“I told him what he wanted to hear. Yeah I had to stretch the truth a bit. But that’s the unfortunate side to all this. He’s going to forget this even happened. He’ll go back to thinking I’m Gemma and forget about Jax and Abel completely. And he’s going to have times where he thinks his wife is still alive.”

Ava went on to tell Chibs what she walked in on and how she handled the situation.

“We gotta sit Gemma down and let her know. He needs help, Chibs. He can’t be here, not by himself.”

Chibs regarded Ava in thought.

“Ye’ve been through this… Haven’t ye?”

Ava nodded as she gathered some clothes.

“My grandfather… I witnessed it firsthand and I thought it was going to kill my father.”

Chibs made his way over and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I remember how uncomfortable I was and there were times I was scared of him. Of course I didn’t get to know the man before the disease hit. All I knew was the man he was then.”

“How old were ye?”

“Twelve. My only reason for knowing how to deal with Mr. Madock is through watching how my father was with his own. He was so patient even when my grandfather wasn’t. And he always brought me along even if my grandfather hadn’t a clue who I was. Charlie insisted that we be a part of his life, no matter what and that it wasn’t his fault, but the disease itself.”

“And ye go and do the same for a man ye hardly know?”

Ava lifted her head and smiled upon Chibs’s reflection in a nearby mirror.

“It’s like Gemma said… I’m family now. That makes Mr. Madock family too.”

“Yer somethin’ else ye know that?” But the way he said this was if in awe.

Chibs spun her around and kissed her.

“We gotta get to your exercises here soon.” He murmured against her lips.

Ava frowned and Chibs chuckled.

“Aye now. Yer aboot done. I just want ye as strong as we can get ye. We’ll be headin’ back ta Charming in a couple days.”

“Really?!”

“Aye…”

“Thank God.”

Chibs nodded.

“And I want my girl ye riddin’ with me so ye had better get yer strength back.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I hope yer ready ta become a Telford.”

“I suppose the real question is… are YOU ready?”

“Aye, I’ve been ready, mo ghaol.”

---

(Be a good sport by leaving your comment/review or a simple ‘like’, if you dug the chapter. I will be doing one more chapter to this. A chapter to Set You Free will be next and I will edit a couple more to Days Past Future Lost. Then back to this… *deep breath* I think I got that all written down right, lol. Sorry for the wait! And a BIG THANK YOU to 4padfoot on the buttons and pretty gifs etc. She’s awesome like that and I’m spoiled.)