Nero sat at the table in his kitchen, waiting for Gemma to return from the grocery store. He couldn't understand how the woman he once loved, and probably still did, could walk around as if nothing ever happened. The reason he let her go alone was because he simply didn't care if any of the Sons would see her.

When she came back three weeks ago he felt his heart ache at the sight of her. The sad, remorseful look in her eyes made him feel bad for her. Despite everything she had done, which he still despised, he still felt sorry for her and as much as he wanted to send her away, he couldn't. All her lies, that she wanted to change, that she wanted to make things right between Jax, Cleo and her, he had believed her and had hoped that this would happen.

When they ran into Jax and Cleo yesterday he knew Gemma didn't change a bit. She was still the woman she was before Jax threatened her and made her leave town. Instead of falling on her knees and beg for forgiveness she really had the nerve to tell Jax how to behave towards him.

In a normal situation, he would have liked his woman to defend him and set clear boundaries for her son⸺ but yesterday Jax had every right to be angry with him and Nero was embarrassed that Gemma had lectured her son instead of holding back or to seek for a peaceful conversation. Maybe it was wrong to give her a second chance. Not maybe, it definitely was the wrong choice.

He tensed up as he heard the door open and shut and braced himself for the worst when Gemma entered the kitchen, humming softly. Just because she was in such a good mood after yesterday made him angry already.

"Hey! I got us some Tacos and a Salad for dinner. That okay, baby?", she asked while putting away most of the stuff.

Nero just ignored her question and came straight to the point, his face wrinkled. "You have to leave, Gemma."

"What?" Quickly, the older woman snapped her head in his direction and turned around. "What are you talking about?"

"I made a mistake by letting you stay. When you showed up I should've sent you away, that would've been the only right thing", he said calmly, yet this conversation didn't leave him cold. Especially because he was so disappointed in her and himself.

Gemma huffed offended, her hands on her hips. "Where's this coming from? You talked to Jax again? You and I, that's none of his business."

Nero could tell by her tone how angry she was at him and that was okay. She could be as angry as she wanted, he would do the right thing now.

"What an irony to hear those words come out of your mouth. That's exactly why I regret giving you another chance", Nero paused, bringing his balled fist to his mouth, letting out a deep sigh. "I actually thought you felt bad for what you did. You promised me you would make things right. Instead of being remorseful you do exactly what makes them hate you even more, Gem!"

"Oh, what is it? I defended you, was that wrong again?", she asked snippy, showing no insight that she had done anything wrong. "I've apologized so many times! I begged Jax not to take my family away!"

"If you'd supported them from the start, respected their boundaries, acted like a loving grandma, and didn't try to kill your son's Old Lady, you wouldn't have had to beg! Why don't you see you have no right to make demands after all you've done?" Nero let out a huff and ran both his hands over his face, already getting tired of this argument. Sometimes he asked himself what this woman had back then that made him fall in love with her.

"She's not good for him and my grandbabies. I know you don't like to hear that but that's how it is", Gemma snarled and fiddled a cigarette out of the box in her bag, lighting it quickly. "I was right about Tara then and I will be right about Cleo this time, too. She's going to break his heart sooner or later, and then who's there for him and his three kids? Right, nobody if I leave now!"

It shocked him how far away Gemma was from reality. If he wasn't so angry, he would almost feel sorry for her. The sad reality was that Gemma couldn't tell right from wrong anymore. This may have been due to the heavy alcohol consumption. All he could do was shake his head in disbelief.

"Cleo never said one bad word about you. She was hurt, angry and wanted you dead after she lost her baby and still she never talked bad of you. Maybe you were right with Tara, but like it or not, Cleo is the perfect match for Jax", Nero commented and stood up, his hands resting on the surface of the dark wooden table, his eyes staring into Gemma's. "They'll raise their three kids together and there's nothing you can do about it."

Gemma shook her head quickly, not wanting to hear those words. In the past she already hated it when someone didn't share the same opinion as her but it bothered her a lot that Nero once again decided to side with Jax.

"Are you dumping me? Again?", she sneered, hanging her bag over her shoulder while blowing out some smoke. "You don't just dump Gemma Teller, certainly not twice!"

Nero let out a deep, exhausted sigh as he watched Gemma storm out of his kitchen with a scowl on her face. After she slammed his door shut, he grabbed his keys and walked out to his car, deciding it was time to search for another conversation with Jax and/or Cleo.

⸺

The brunette took a seat across from Nero, setting her cup of tea down before rubbing her temples in a soothing way. A headache was bothering her since this morning, probably from all the overthinking about yesterday's run in with Gemma. Nero's visit didn't make her headache any better, it caused it to get even worse.

"Not feeling good?", he asked sincerely concerned as he studied the brunette, his typical caring nature coming through.

"Do you even care?" Her words came out harsher than she wanted them to sound, a sigh escaping her lips. "I'm sorry, this wasn't fair."

Nero just waved it off. "I guess I deserved that after yesterday. I really care about you and your family, Cleo."

It was silent for a long moment, Cleo's lips stretched into a thin line when another sigh slipped past her lips. It was fucking hard being angry at a person like Nero⸺ it was almost impossible. He wasn't the sort to pretend to be genuinely concerned for their own benefit. His honest, mostly good-humoured manner was what Cleo appreciated most about the man across from her and she was just pissed that he had stabbed Jax and her in the back like that.

"Then why for god's sake did you give Gemma a second chance after everything she did? It's not like she misbehaved just once. She killed the unborn child from the man you treat like your own son. After Gemma left town, we still included you in every family celebration, always let you be a part of our lives. Do you know why Jax was so angry yesterday? It wasn't just because of Gemma. He was angry and disappointed because he never thought you would betray him like that⸺ the man in whom he has placed his absolute trust for two years", Cleo sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair, her hands now resting on her stomach.

As she watched Nero sit quietly in his seat, his hands around the coffee mug in front of him with his head bowed, she knew he was feeling really shabby. Which she was sorry for. Nero had become something of a father figure for her and she didn't want to lose him. However, she was disappointed and if he would stay with Gemma she wouldn't be able to let him be a part of her life anymore.

"I really thought she meant it this time, Cleo. I only let her stay because she promised me that she would fix her mistakes with you guys. But I quickly noticed that Gemma hasn't changed a bit. Now I'm the one who has to apologize for making a mistake and I hope you and Jax can forgive me for it one day." Nero's drained voice trailed off toward the end of his sentence, his hand grazing his face. "If not then I guess I just lost everything."

The brunette swallowed softly. His words got her all emotional and Nero, out of all people, didn't deserve to end up all alone. Especially not because of a woman who would ruin a happy family over and over again.

"Look, you made a mistake and I was really, really mad at you", Cleo told him honestly before she pushed herself forward and put a hand over his, a small smile on her face. "But I know what kind of power Gemma has over people. Even after treating me with nothing but disrespect I still tried to get along with her. No one, not even you, can change her, Nero. I guess we have to accept that."

The corners of his mouth turned up as a genuine smile took over his face. She was pretty wise for her age, smart too⸺ that's what he liked about her so much. But what he liked the most was her open, loving personality that he really appreciated.

"You have no idea how much this means to me. Besides Lucius, your little family and my crew, there's nobody else in my life. I know I still have to talk to Jax, which probably won't be a pleasant conversation, but I hope he's listening", he nodded more to himself, pulling his hand from under her hand to encase hers.

"He knows his mother better than anyone. He's disappointed and hella pissed. But if he's listening to anyone, it's you", the brunette assured him with a encouraging smile. "Just don't give up on him and make sure you don't let Gemma back into your life. I don't think Jax would be able to forgive you for letting that woman back into your life again."

"Like I said, I won't make that mistake again", Nero said full of conviction. He had definitely learned from that mistake, even if it wasn't in a nice way.

⸺

After picking up the boys from school and daycare, Jax drove home and parked his car in the driveway, angrily licking his lips when he spotted Nero's car parked on the street in front of their house. He told Abel, who recently turned five, to play in the garden for a while with Thomas.

The little boy nodded eagerly, happy that he didn't have to take a shower right away and could play in the garden with his brother. Jax let him jump out of the car while he got Thomas out of his seat and sat him down on the ground after kissing his sons forehead.

Thomas was able to walk now, but the little one was sometimes still unsure and clung to Jax' finger with his little hand until Abel stopped in front of him, grabbed his hand and walked with him through the white gate into the garden.

Once he knew the boys were in the garden, Jax closed the gate and walked inside. They'd be able to watch the kids from the living room, that's why he let them alone in the garden. And because he knew Abel was old enough by now to keep an eye on his little brother, which made both Jax and Cleo proud as hell.

The blonde threw his keys on the shelf in the hallway and strolled into the living room where he heard voices that were definitely coming from his fiancée and Nero. As soon as he entered the room, they both fell silent and looked at him. Cleo gave him a slight smile.

"What is this?" Jax sat down at the free couch, his stern gaze directed at Nero. If the boys couldn't see them through the big window door he would've probably punched the older man in the face already.

"I just want to talk, explain a few things", Nero replied honestly, not intimidated by Jax's intense gaze. He knew Jax would've punched him already if he had wanted to.

"Just listen to him", Cleo said softly. "Please Jax", she added after he gave her a quick meaningful look. Oh, she was just hoping they wouldn't have a fight over this later.

"Then talk. You got five minutes", the blonde said coldly. He rested his arm on the armrest, his index finger against his lips while his blue eyes bored into Nero's soul.

Nero watched as Cleo left the room and joined the boys in the garden, who both jumped into her arms right away, to give both of them a moment alone. With a deep sigh, he bent forward and let his forearms rest on his legs while searching for the right words.

He started by explaining what he had already explained to Cleo. That he was sorry for being so naive and really believing that Gemma had changed. He also promised that something like this would never happen again and that he would own up to his mistake. All he could do was apologize and accept Jax's decision.

"I understand if you can't work with me anymore and I have to accept that. I just wanted to come by in person and explain everything. So, whatever you decide, I'll accept it", Nero told him with a shrug and the slightest, weak smile on his face. "I just want you to know that, whenever you need me, I'm still here for you and your family."

Jax looked closely at Nero, paying attention to the man's body language and tensing up to the extreme. He would definitely need a hot shower afterwards to allow his muscles to relax again. He rubbed his chin with his finger before running his hand through his beard after making his decision.

"Gemma ruined enough. When I made her leave town I swore to myself that I won't lose more people that mean something to me because of her", he paused briefly, lowering his tone before making sure the door that led to the garden was closed. His attention back at Nero again. "I want her dead and I want to be the one pulling the trigger. You have a problem with that?"

Despite Cleo begging him not to kill Gemma last night, Jax knew he had to be the one to end his mother's life. At the moment he underestimated that he would lose himself emotionally and mentally afterwards. But after everything Gemma did, all the lies and her betrayals, he wanted to do it.

Nero put his face in his hands, a muffled sigh slipped through his fingers before he was ready to look at the blonde again. His heart broke for Jax, the man he treated like a son. He wanted to save Jax but he knew it was too late for that. "I don't have a problem with it, but I have a problem with you doing it."

"That's none of your concern. I know what I'm capable of and that what I plan to do will turn me into the person I never wanted to be. But there is no other way", Jax shrugged slightly, already accepting his fate. Gemma hurt his family, now he was going to hurt her. "Not a word to my wife, Nero, she has enough on her plate already."

Nero closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before giving Jax a nod. "I won't say anything, she doesn't need more stress."

"Can I be sure that you'll take care of my family if I can't find my way back?", Jax asked straight forward, deep sadness in his eyes and Nero could swear he saw fear flashing in Jax's eyes too.

He only realized now what Gemma has done to this small family and he wanted to slap himself for letting that woman back into his live. If she would've stayed out of town, Jax wouldn't have to do this now. But Nero knew, arguing with Jax now wouldn't get him anywhere, Jax would only push him away again.

"They'll be safe with me, don't worry about that", he promised the younger man and stood up after he earned a nod from him. "Are we good, mano?"

Jax got up too and held his hand out to Nero who shook and squeezed it just like Jax did. "We are⸺ but never betray me again, not like that." Honesty and seriousness in Jax' eyes as he spoke the words and then finally led Nero to the door. The blonde wanted to spend the rest of the day with his fiancée and his children.

⸺

authors note; next chapter will be a little emotional! I hope y'all still enjoy the story. 🖤