Cleo sat in the kitchen of the Teller house enjoying the silence of the morning, a cup of hot coffee in her hands. They just came back from their little vacation a few hours ago and since the kids were too excited to sleep during the flight, they fell asleep the moment they came home and were still knocked out.

She on the other hand couldn't get much sleep as her mind was racing. The last four weeks in Florida were the most relaxing weeks in a long time and she feared now that they were back things would get complicated again.

There was never a moment when she had seen Jax so relaxed. Here in Charming he was always tense, even though he'd tried to hide it. However, it could also be because since they knew each other there was never really a peaceful moment. First his best friend died, then came the breakup with Tara, the intrigues of his mother and ex-girlfriend. Somehow he had to explain to the children why Gemma and Tara were no longer part of their lives. All these things had haunted him constantly, sucking the life out of him.

In Florida, there was no fear that the next problem was already waiting behind the corner to ruin the day. Jax just managed to stay relaxed and enjoy the time with Cleo and his kids. As many times as Cleo had heard him laugh or seen him smile, it just made her happy. Even her mom had noticed the change in Jax on their vacation.

What if everything that happened in the last half year came back up again now that they were back? The brunette would have preferred to just stay in Florida, knowing that everyone was happy there. But Charming was Jax' home and now hers, too. He was her home and she would follow him everywhere, supporting him in every decision he made and standing behind him.

"Morning babe", his still sleepy, hoarse voice tore her out of her thoughts as he sat down with a cup of freshly poured coffee across from her. A weak but happy smile on his lips as he studied his Old Lady's features. "You okay?"

Unlike her, he had no problems to get some sleep but if he would've known she was awake the whole time, which he could tell by the dark circles under he eyes, he would've stayed awake with her.

Just like her, he deep down wished they could've stayed longer but that wasn't possible. The club needed him and he wasn't going to let his brothers down, not after what his family, or rather his mom and Tara, had done. Jax knew that the whole club had suffered from the constant stress, mainly because Jax was never able to fully concentrate on the club. He owed it to his brothers to be a good, responsible Pres again.

"Yeah, just a little lost in thoughts", she smiled softly while running the tip of her nails over his forearm. "You can get some more sleep if you want. Mom and I aren't going back to the diner until tomorrow so I'm here when the kids wake up."

"What's going on in that pretty mind of yours, darlin'?", he asked curiosily even though he already had an idea what the reason for the sleepless night might be. "Dawn and Lyla still taking care of the diner 'til tomorrow?"

"No, Lyla was needed at Red Woody this week so Dawn's all by herself. Well, with our cook. But Lyla told me that Enrico helps her almost everyday. I hope Tig won't mind that his daughter might date a Mayan soon", the brunette chuckled, amused that Dawn actually managed to get her brother's attention despite only having met briefly a few times before. But what did she expect? She was talking about Dawn here. The woman always got what she wanted.

"I don't think he'll be too happy about it but since it's Enrico, he'll be fine with it", Jax let out a laugh before taking a sip of his coffee, grimacing at the bitter taste.

Cleo just shook her head in amusement when he poured enough sugar into his cup that would be enough for three cups of coffee. Alone the thought of how sweet it must taste now made her scrunch up her nose.

"Well, Dawn's a fierce one, Tig doesn't need to worry about her", Cleo hummed. "And Enrico knows how to treat a woman."

"You're not wrong", Jax agreed after he slipped his fingers between hers, running his thumb over the back of her hand. "And now I wanna know what's going on with you, babe."

His intense look made her sigh, knowing she wouldn't get out of this before she wouldn't give him the answers he wanted to hear.

"I really enjoyed the last few weeks. All of us were so..", she paused while trying to find the perfect word to describe their last weeks together.

"Peaceful", Jax added as if he knew exactly what she meant, earning a soft nod from the brunette.

"Yeah. And now we're back. I'm just afraid all the lightness will disappear again with the next problem. And we both know there will be a next problem." She let out a deep sigh and put the cup in her hand down, running her fingers through her dark hair. "I mean, we don't know nothing about Gemma. Where she went, what she's doing. Then there's still my dad who won't give up calling me. And let's not forget club shit, there's always something going on."

It didn't change anything that she grew up with her brother being part of a club. The club life itself didn't bother her, just the fear of something bad happening was always there. She was at so many funerals in the past years that they didn't surprise her anymore. Luckily there wasn't a funeral in almost a year, which she was grateful for. Sure, Adrian and Tara died but they weren't people she would miss, she didn't consider them as family.

"Hey, look at me." The blonde put his cup down to wrap her hand into both of his, just holding it in a comforting way. "Gemma won't be stupid enough to come back and stir shit up again. And if she does, I'll have to take care of that problem. And as for your father, all we can do is get you a new phone. If he then tries to contact you in another way, I'll talk to him again."

"Because the last conversation with my dad went so well, huh?", she raised a brow, yet the slightest, cocky smile formed on her lips.

"It could've been worse. Like, with Hap and me ending up dead and buried in your dad's big ass garden", Jax smirked slightly before he got serious again. "I told you I won't let anyone hurt us again, babe, and I meant it. I don't care if it's my mother or your father I have to kill for some peace."

"And that's exactly what scares me", she groaned desperately. "All the killing. Like, why can't we have normal parents? Is that too much to ask for?"

Jax sighed while shrugging his shoulders. "Apparently, yes. But you got a great mom, Cleo, that's a start."

"Thank god. I'd lose my mind if my mother would be bat shit crazy, too", she chuckled with insecurity welling in her tone.

"I can't promise you that the killing will stop. But I'm trying my best to keep our little family away from all the violence and danger, okay?" Jax' ocean blue eyes looked right into her green one's as he said those words. He couldn't make a promise, but he would do his best to protect his family.

"We both know that doesn't work, Jax", she smiled ever so slightly. "And that's okay. I signed up for this and I won't run away. This is the only life I know and want. But yeah, it would be great if everything worked with a little less bloodshed."

Jax nodded in understanding, he wished himself that it could be like that. And if they'd all stick together and make sure that no more unnecessary wars get started, it could actually work out. Charming could be much more peaceful, something he wanted for his son's, Cleo and the club. The past years he never thought much about this, how peaceful it actually could be. His father's manuscript created pure chaos, yet it revealed so much secrets that needed to come out. The manuscript was both a curse and a blessing.

But now, with his two sons and Cleo by his side, he wanted nothing more than peace. The thought of the club doing legitimate business only was nice, but he didn't know yet if it was possible. But for the safety of his family it was worth to try.

"I'm trying my best to make that work, darlin'", he promised sincerely, squeezing her hand once more before releasing them so he could light up a cigarette.

"I know that, baby. I know it's none of my business but if you need help with anything, let me know, please." Cleo stood up to open the kitchen windows just in case the kids would wake up earlier than she expected them to. She didn't want them to eat breakfast in a kitchen smelling like cigarette smoke.

Jax watched every move of her, the swing of her hips with every step she made. He loved that woman with every fiber of his body and he wanted nothing more than add another human being to the family they already had. But only when both were ready for it.

"No, I'm not dragging you into this, babe", he told her after a moment of silence and taking another deep drag of his cigarette, inhaling it deep into his lungs. "But I want you close, all the time. I want you to move in here, completely."

Cleo almost chocked on the smoke she just inhaled when she heard those words coming out of his mouth. Almost shocked, she stared at him and was at a loss of words for a moment. She spent most of her time here already, yet it came out of nowhere that he asked her to move in. It was another big step in their relationship and shit like that almost made her nervous⸺ but she couldn't be happier right now.

"Are you sure you want this?", she asked baffled, the smile on her face growing wider with every second. "I⸺ I don't even know what to say."

"I've never been more sure, darlin'", he winked, flashing that infamous Teller grin at her that made her laugh softly. "Just say yes. We can get all your stuff today."

"Well, I don't see a reason why I should say no. So⸺ my answer is yes. I'm going to move in with you guys", she nodded eagerly, quickly put the cigarette out in the ashtray on the table only to climb on Jax' lap and wrap her arms around his neck. "I love you, Jax."

The smile on his face was replaced by a wide grin once she sat on his lap. Blowing out the smoke from his last drag, he put his cigarette out, too before slipping his hands under the white Samcro shirt she wore.

"I love you too, Cleo", he muttered under his breath after trailing some kisses down her neck while his hands roamed over her body. That body that managed to get him hard within seconds.

Feeling his hardening cock press against her middle, she let out a soft moan und crushed her lips onto his while her body was pressed against his so tight not even a piece of paper would fit between them. But there was something about him shirtless and in grey sweatpants that made her melt away every time.

The blonde didn't hesitate long, picked her up and carried her down the hallway to their bedroom without breaking the passionate kiss once, slamming the door shut behind him to get some quality time with his Old Lady.

⸺

authors note; I'm sorry, that was a filler and a little boring, lol. I'm not sure how many chapters this story will have but I think it'll have around five more chapters. Writing a Jax fanfic after years made me fall in love with his character again and I already have an idea for another Jax fanfic in my mind. So, this won't be my last one. 🖤