💘( Mending the King! )✨

EIGHT

[ Turning and Turning ]

( 🤴🔨👸💋💑🏍 )

" You might be his president, but I'm his mother. My son made a mistake—Fine. He owns that. But you better deal with the people who laid a hand on my boy, or I will. And trust me when I say this, you won't like the war it'll bring to your doorstep. "

~ ADELA ORTIZ to CLAY MORROW 

☆《》¤

ALU'S OUTFIT 

CARLOS "MOSS" ORTIZ sat on the edge of the living room couch, his small frame dwarfed by the plush cushions. His legs swung slightly, a habit he hadn't grown out of, as he stared curiously at the two women seated across from him. Adela sat tall and composed, though the slight wringing of her hands betrayed her nerves. Alu, however, seemed like a shadow of her usual self, her hands gripping the edge of the coffee table so tightly her knuckles were white.

"Is something wrong?" Moss asked, his wide, innocent eyes darting between them. "Am I in trouble? Because I told Aiden not to take that candy—I even brought it back to the shop keeper." 

Adela's features softened at the young boy's words, leaning forward, she placed a comforting hand on his knee, "No, sweetheart. You're not in trouble," she said gently, though her voice carried an unusual weight.

Moss glanced at Alu, who had yet to meet his gaze, "Then why do you both look so...serious?"

Alu finally lifted her head, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper, "Moss...we need to talk to you about something very important."

His eyebrows furrowed, worry creeping into his young features, "What is it?"

Adela gave Alu an encouraging nod, before turning her attention back to the boy, "What we're about to tell you doesn't change how much you are loved. By me, by Ana, by everyone in this family. Okay?"

Moss nodded slowly, though his confusion was evident, "Okay...?" 

Alu's throat tightened, and her voice cracked as she spoke, "Moss...I'm not your sister."

The room fell silent, the words hanging in the air like a thundercloud. Moss blinked, his head tilting in puzzlement, "What do you mean? Of course you're my sister."

"I'm your mother," Alu said, her voice firmer this time, though her hands trembled. "I gave birth to you."

Moss froze, his swinging legs stopping mid-motion. He stared at her, then at Adela, then back to Alu, "No...You're my big sister. Adela is my mother." 

Adela leaned closer, her eyes soft but steady, "I raised you as my own because Ana Lucia wasn't ready to be a mum. But that doesn't change the truth, Carlos. Alu is your mother."

Moss shook his head, his voice rising, "No! That doesn't make sense! You're lying!"

Alu flinched but forced herself to stay composed, "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner," she said, tears now spilling down her cheeks. "I thought I was doing what was best for you. I wasn't ready to be a mum back then, and I didn't want you to grow up in the middle of all my mistakes."

Moss stood abruptly, stepping back from the couch, "You lied to me my whole life?!"

Adela reached for him, but he took another step away, "Carlos—"

"You're both liars!" Moss yelled, his voice cracking. "I hate you!"

The words hit Alu like a punch to the gut, and she gasped, covering her mouth as tears flowed freely. Adela stood, her voice calm but firm, "Carlos Mateo Ortiz, you listen to me. I know this is a lot to take in, and I know you're hurt and angry. But we told you because we didn't want to lie to you anymore. Because we love you. We love you more than anything in this whole world." 

Moss' lip quivered, his small fists clenched at his sides, "I want to go to my room."

Adela nodded, her heart aching, "That's okay. Take some time to process this, mijo. We'll be here when you're ready to talk about it." 

Moss bolted up the stairs, his small feet pounding against the wood. The sound of his bedroom door slamming shut echoed through the house.

Alu collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body, "He hates me..."

Adela sat beside her, wrapping her arms around her daughter and pulling her close. "He doesn't hate you, mija. He's just confused and hurt. Give him time."

Alu clung to her mother, her voice muffled against Adela's shoulder, "I was trying to protect him...I never wanted to hurt him."

"I know," Adela murmured, stroking her hair. "And so will he. He's a smart boy, Ana. He'll understand eventually."

The two women sat together, their tears mingling as they held onto each other, united in their love for the boy upstairs. 

***

The hospital examination room was a whirlwind of chaos as Adela, Alu, and Moss burst through the door. Chuckie and Half-Sack were right behind them under orders to protect the Ortiz family. Juice sat on the edge of the bed, his face a patchwork of cuts and bruises as a young intern hovered nearby, dabbing antiseptic onto a gash. 

The sight made Alu's blood boil, "Get out," she snapped, her voice cold and commanding. "I got it from here." 

The intern froze, blinking at her in confusion, "What?" 

"I said get out," she repeated, stepping forward with an edge in her tone that left no room for argument. "Now!" 

The intern hesitated for only a moment before scurrying out of the room, casting a nervous glance over his shoulder.

Adela sighed, her expression a mix of exasperation and disapproval, "Was that really necessary, mija?" 

"Yeah," Alu replied curtly as she grabbed gloves from a nearby tray. "I don't want some intern hacking my brother's face up." 

Adela muttered something in Spanish under her breath, her frustration palpable.

Juice winced as Alu began cleaning his wounds, her movements brisk but practiced.

"Oh, don't be such a baby," Alu scolded playfully, though her concern was evident in her gentle touch.

Adela turned to Moss, who had been standing quietly by the door, his small hands clenched into fists, "Carlos, why don't you go with Chuckie and get a snack from the vending machine?" 

Moss frowned, "I don't have any money." 

Alu reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled five-dollar bill, handing it to him, "Here. Buy whatever you want." 

Moss rolled his eyes, snatching the money from her hand and muttering under his breath, "Whatever." 

Adela's stern gaze snapped to him, "Hey! Show a little respect, yeah?" 

Moss hesitated, his defiance melting under her firm tone, "Sorry, ma—" He caught himself, his voice faltering. Was she still 'Mami' or just 'Abuela' now?

Adela turned to placed a hand on Chuckie's shoulder, leaning in close to whisper, "If anything happens to that boy, Charles, I'll hold you personally responsible." 

Chuckie nodded solemnly, "I accept that." 

As the two left, Alu let out a heavy sigh. 

Adela's gaze lingered on the door, before she turned back to her daughter, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. 

Alu gave her mother a appreciative smile, but the sadness in her eyes was hard to miss as she resumed tending to Juice's injuries, "What happened?" 

Juice shook his head, trying to reassure her, "Relax, it wasn't him. This was club business." 

"Shit, Juice," Alu muttered.

Juice reached for her hand, squeezing it weakly, "I'm okay, really." 

Adela stepped forward, her voice laced with anger and determination, "Who did this to you?" 

Before Juice could respond, the door swung open, and the rest of SAMCRO filed in. Adela's hand flew to the Glock tucked into the waistband of her pants, drawing it with practiced precision. The men froze, their eyes wide as they instinctively raised their hands.

"Jesus Christ, Ma!" Alu exclaimed, her own shock mirroring theirs. "Put the gun away! You're in a hospital! "For goodness' sake, you're a reverend!" 

Adela lowered the weapon, shrugging nonchalantly, "What? So, I can't own a Glock?" 

Juice chuckled despite the pain—His mother was nothing short of a badass.

"I'm sorry," Adela said, her tone unapologetic. "But a mad man is after my babies, and I'm going to do everything in my power to protect them." She leaned over, placing a kiss on both Alu and Juice's cheeks, making her son hiss in pain. "Sorry, mijo," she said with a rare, but kind smile. 

Clay stepped forward, his expression grim, "What happened?" 

Juice sighed, his voice laced with shame, "Salazar and two CLs jumped me in the Chicken Man's van." 

"Jesus," Jax muttered, running a hand down his face.

Juice's head lowered further, "They took my cut." 

Clay's fury erupted, "What?! Jesus Christ! You let a goddamn puppet club strip your patch—?" He smacked the back of Juice's head.

Adela cleared her throat sharply, her arms crossing over her chest. Her icy glare landed on Clay like a hammer. 

Clay turned to her, bewildered, "What?" 

"I suggest you watch your tone, Mr. Morrow," Adela said, her voice low and dangerous.

"Excuse me?" Clay asked, taken aback.

"You're excused," she replied sharply.

The men chuckled quietly until Clay's glare silenced them.

"Listen, lady—" Clay began, but Adela stepped closer, cutting him off with a pointed finger.

"No, you listen," she said, her voice steady and unwavering. "You might be his president, but I'm his mother. My son made a mistake—fine. He owns that. But you deal with the people who laid a hand on my boy, or I will. And trust me, you won't like the war it'll bring to your doorstep." 

Clay blinked, stunned into silence, "Yes, ma'am," he muttered finally.

Adela adjusted her pantsuit and left the room with her head held high, her heels clicking against the tile floor.

As soon as the door closed, Clay let out a low whistle, "Remind me never to piss off Mama Ortiz. That woman's got more fire than a damn flamethrower." 

"Definitely gives Gemma a run for her money," Happy muttered in his naturally raspy voice. 

The room erupted into laughter, though they all silently agreed—Adela Ortiz was not someone to cross.

***

The waiting room was unusually quiet, except for the hum of the vending machine in the corner. Moss sat slumped in one of the hard plastic chairs, a pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in his hands. His small fingers peeled away the orange wrapper with more force than necessary, his face scrunched up in a mixture of anger and sadness.

 Also sat in the room in a chair nearby was Chuckie, sporting his prospect cut proudly, was engulfed in a newspaper, but still made sure to keep one eye on the boy at all times. 

Alu hesitated by the doorway, watching her son sit there, his emotions spilling out in the aggressive way he handled the candy. She took a deep breath and stepped closer, her footsteps soft against the linoleum floor.

Moss didn't look up as she sat down next to him, the chair creaking under her weight. She glanced at the Reese's in his hand, the sweet, nutty smell hitting her nose.

"Those were always my favourite too," she said gently, hoping to bridge the chasm between them.

Moss finally looked at her, his dark eyes sharp and filled with betrayal, "You know, you say you love me, Mami," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "But if you really did, you would've never of gave me to Abuela. Because when you love someone, you fight for them."

The words hit Alu like a slap to the face. She swallowed hard, guilt clawing at her insides, "Carlos..." she started, her voice soft. "You're right. I should've fought harder. I should've—"

"But you didn't," Moss interrupted, his voice louder now, the candy forgotten in his lap. "You just left me! You lied to me my whole life, and now you expect me to just...what? Be okay with it?" 

Alu's hands trembled as she reached for his, but he pulled away, clutching the candy like a lifeline, "I didn't expect you to be okay with it," she said, her voice breaking. "I just—Moss, I wanted you to have a chance. A real chance. I was young and stupid and scared. I thought you'd be better off with your Abuela, someone who could give you stability." 

Moss scoffed, shaking his head, "You thought lying to me was giving me a chance? You thought pretending to be my sister was better for me? That's not love, Mami. That's cowardice." 

Tears welled up in Alu's eyes, but she forced herself to stay calm, "I know I screwed up, Carlos. I know I hurt you, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right. But I never stopped loving you. Not for a second." 

He finally met her gaze, his eyes swimming with unshed tears, "You don't get it," he whispered. "It's not just the lie. It's everything. I trusted you. You were my big sister, the cool one who always had my back. Now...now I don't even know who you are anymore." 

Alu felt her heart shatter, but she nodded, knowing she couldn't push him right now, "You're right. You have every right to be angry, to feel betrayed. But no matter what, I'm still here. I'm still your Mami, even if you don't want to call me that yet." 

Moss stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He shoved the half-eaten Reese's into his hoodie pocket, glaring at her, "I don't want to call you anything. I don't want to see you or talk to you. Ever." 

"Carlos—" 

"No!" he snapped, his voice breaking. "You don't get to fix this just because you feel bad. You made your choice, and now I'm making mine." 

He turned on his heel and stormed out of the waiting room, leaving Alu frozen in her seat. She stared at the empty doorway, her tears finally spilling over as the silence swallowed her whole.

***

Words: 2384