Awkwardly, Juice shoved his hands deeper into his pockets when Chibs started to snigger after Juice had revealed his plan. 

"Yer settin' high standards for the others lad. If ye plan this shite for yer sponsor's daughter, I can't wait to see what you have in mind for me and yer other brothas."

Juice felt that his cheeks started to glow. Buying presents for the others... he hadn't thought about that at all and Christmas was only three days away! Panic squeezed his throat. What were they expecting from him? Expensive gifts? Making things right with Abigail had been the only thing on his mind lately. 

"You uh... you think she's gonna like it?"

"I'm sure she does. She felt bad that she couldn't come, but she had already promised her roommate to spend Christmas with her. The poor lass lost her parents a few years ago, and even though Abigail took her to the clubhouse two years ago to celebrate Christmas with us, her friend didn't feel very comfortable around here." Chibs shrugged his shoulders. "Typical Abigail to bear that in mind. But I'm sure she already told ya, huh?"

Nervously, his thumbs rubbed his forefingers. Was it a trick question? Did he know that they weren't talking anymore? "She uh... yeah she said something like that," he murmured. His cheeks were getting hotter. If Chibs hadn't known about their fight, he was probably sensing it now. Quickly he decided to continue their conversation. "You uh... you think there's a way to get Opie on camera?"

Chibs raised his eyebrows. "Ye really go big for my lil girl hmm?" He tilted his head a little. "Still just friends?"

Juice bent his head. Then he just blurted it all out – he was too scared that Chibs would catch him in a lie, which was probably worse than hearing the truth. 

"We're in a fight," he muttered. "I... sent her some... inappropriate texts when I was drunk." He bit his lip, his face felt so hot there was almost coming steam off. "I uhm... I'm in love with her."

Chibs started to laugh. "Oh really? Never noticed that..."

Awkwardly, he ran his hand across his mohawk. "She doesn't want more. And she finds it hard that I have feelings for her but I miss her... she was my best friend around here you know..." He cleared his throat when he noticed that he was rambling. "I wanna make it up to her. Just... being friends again."

He didn't dare to look at his sponsor. When Chibs laid a hand on his shoulder, he however looked up in surprise. 

"I know my daughter. I don't think it's you kid, it's ain't yer feelings she's worried about." He winked. "But she's a woman. She needs to analyze her feelings twenty times fore she understands 'em." He squeezed his shoulder. "If ye take some cash with ya ye might smuggle in a camera. Especially if you tell 'em it's for Ope's kids."

"Okay," he muttered. Skittishly, he looked at the man again. "Thanks. For eh... not gutting me like a fish for liking your daughter."

"I'd been more offended if ye didn't like her." He showed him a crooked smile. "Well, go record those videos. Before ye know it Christmas is over."

. . .

It had sounded like a good plan – but once Juice was waiting at a table he was suddenly very nervous. That guy didn't even know him. Juice had seen his picture on the wall and he looked tough. But he was Abigail's best friend, so he had to be nice, right?

The camera he had bought, was lying on his lap. He had given the guard 70 bucks to take it inside. It was a lot of money  for such a small favor – and he hoped Opie wanted to cooperate. 

Juice sat up a little straighter when the door was opened. Opie's hands were cuffed in front of his waist and he looked around. Although there was only one other visitor, who was already accompanied by a prisoner, Juice raised his hand a little hesitating. The man came closer; he was a lot taller than Juice had imagined.

Opie flopped down on the chair across from him. He stared at Juice for a moment, then he lifted the corner of his mouth, looking much friendlier immediately. 

"You gotta be the new prospect. Nice haircut." He smirked. 

The look in his eyes told Juice that he already know the story behind the mohawk. A little awkwardly he shifted on his chair, wondering how close their friendship still was and what she had exactly written about him. 

Grinning back seemed to be the best response. "She thought I wasn't lookin' tough enough for a biker club."

Opie chuckled. "It's for the best that she wears no cut, otherwise we would all look like idiots."

Juice laughed softly, it was something he couldn't deny. He leaned a little forward and decided that he liked Opie. At least he didn't create the impression that he wanted to break him down, like most of his brothers. "I'm workin' on a Christmas present for Abigail because she ain't gonna be in Charming and I know she misses the guys – and well, especially you. So I'm makin' some kind of movie in which y'all doin' a Christmas Wish or something; some personal message." He felt the heat rise to his cheeks again, fanatically he tried to ignore it. "So we're still with her in some way, ya know."

Opie raised his eyebrows. "Well well... everyone's really into that?"

Juice nodded. "I've recorded everyone else. Some messages are very short, not consisting of much more than 'Merry Christmas' but it's the thought that counts." He shrugged his shoulders, putting the camera on the table. 

Opie lifted the corner of his mouth. "You're already bribing the guards? They train you well..."

For some reason Juice was beaming with pride. 

"Fine, let's do it."

Juice turned on the camera and nodded to Opie. Like most people he had filmed, Opie seemed to feel a little awkward when the red light was on. 

"Well Abby... As it seems I can't even escape from you when I'm in prison, since weird prospects with dumb haircuts and even dumber tattoos are visiting me..." He winked at Juice and turned his attention back to the camera. "So Happy Christmas from me. I miss you – but I guess you're doing fine in Charming, with a prospect who's running around to please our little princess. I hope to see you soon in person – I'm starting to forget what you look like. Anyway, I hope you had a cool Christmas – and I think it's very sweet that you're celebrating it on your own as well, out of solidarity. But a SAMCRO party without me is doomed to suck, so your reasons might be a little more selfish. Well... I can't sent you any presents so this shitty video is all you gonna get. I owe you another hug once I'm out – I guess your balance is twenty now." He smirked at the camera. "So eh... bye, I guess. Take care and don't cry too much cause you miss me so bad. I love you."

Satisfied, Juice turned off the camera. That would at least fill a couple more minutes. 

"Thanks." A silence fell; then an idea popped up. "Uh... if you like I can record a message for your kids and wife as well? I'm here with a camera anyway."

The look in Opie's eyes changed, becoming more serious. Although he had been joking that Abigail would miss him, Juice saw how much he missed his own family. He gave an hesitant nod and Juice hit the record button again. 

"Hey kiddo's... Donna... Uh this is kinda unexpected so I haven't prepared much... but I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas. I can't wait to celebrate it with you guys again. I miss the three of you..."

Juice swallowed when Opie took a deep breath, tears piling up in his eyes. 

Awkwardly, Juice wrung his hands as he noticed how emotional the man was, causing a gnawing feeling in his chest. The club was the reason he was here now. How big was the chance that Juice would sit on the other side of the table one day? That he was sold out too, just like Opie? Just like had happened to him a few weeks ago? 

Taking a deep breath, he tried to shove these thoughts to the side. There was no way back anyway; he had chosen this life and he would have to bear the consequences. Even when that road ran across prison. But the tears in Opie's eyes showed how much the man missed his wife and kids... and suddenly Abigail's fear felt very realistic and understandable. 

And still – still there was this little voice in his head whispering that he rather spend a few years in jail while they were in a relationship than that he would keep his freedom and live without her.

With an encouraging smile he turned his attention back to Opie, who bent his head and stared at his hands. After a while he however started to talk again; letting go of the embarrassment and telling his children what places he wanted to take them to once he was out and describing all the things he missed about Donna. 

Juice noticed how all the kind words Opie said were calling up tears in his own eyes. As broken as that family was right now – Juice hoped to have such a family too one day. Being a dad– having a wife. 

Having Abigail.