A SIGH LEFT SHAY'S LIPS AS SHE HELPED GEMMA AND WENDY DECORATE JAX'S HOME FOR ABEL'S HOMECOMING.

After spending a long time in the NICU, Abel was finally strong enough to come home which was a nice bright spot in what seemed to be a continuous dark cloud hanging over everyone.

"It needs to be straighter." Gemma chimed in with a smirk on her face as she held Leela in her arms.

Shay looked away from the blue balloons she was blowing up and looked over to where Wendy was hanging up a 'Welcome Home' banner.

Shay rolled her eyes at Gemma's pettiness. Sure, the sign was crooked but Wendy was actually here helping and doing her best ( something that wouldn't have happens months ago )  and while Shay had never been a fan of Wendy, she was supportive of the woman's recovery.

"Gem, leave her alone. The banner looks fine." Shay said while giving a small reassuring smile towards Wendy.

She could tell Wendy was a bundle of nerves which wasn't surprising. Any mother would be in this situation and if there was some way for Shay to give even a little bit of comfort to Wendy then she would.

Gemma rolled her eyes before walking off with a babbling Leela in her arms.

"Thanks." Wendy said with a grateful smile as she stepped down from the step stool. "I'm nervous as fuck and having Gemma pointing out everything I'm doing wrong isn't helping." She added while running a hand through her hair.

"It's just Gemma being Gemma." Shay said. "She wants everything to be perfect. Don't let it get to you." She said trying to reassure the nervous mother while blowing up the last ballon.

It was easy for Shay to let Gemma's comments roll off of her back because of the relationship the two had but, she knew how mean and hurtful the queen of SAMCRO could be to others — especially those she didn't like or deem family.

Shay was luck the woman was like a mother to her and loved her enough to treat her as such because had she been in Wendy's and even Tara's place she would never give Gemma Teller a minute of the day to disrespect her like she did to them.

"I'm so fucking nervous that I'm going to fuck up again. It's always in the back of my head that I could just wake up one morning and stick that shit in body again." Wendy admitted as she sat down on the couch, a sigh leaving her lips.

Shay really did not want to be having this deep conversation with Wendy right now. They weren't friends and this felt like a conversation you had with a friend or at least someone who liked you enough to want to have a conversation with you.

Sure, Shay found it commendable that Wendy went to rehab after Abel's birth but, it wasn't the first time Wendy had gone to rehab and promised to stay sober. It was a never ending cycle and Shay sadly knew that all too well.

Her mother had also promised to stay sober each time after a rehab visit and never did, so you'd have to excuse her if some promise from a addict didn't bring Shay any comfort.

Shay scratched at her forehead as she reluctantly sat down next to Wendy, "You just have to take it one day at a time. You wanna shoot up? You think about Abel and all the fucking shit you already put him through and if you still wanna shoot up then you fucking leave. You don't bring any drugs around that little boy 'cause if I find out you do I'll kill you myself."

It probably wasn't an NA approved speech but it would scare the shit out of Wendy and hopefully if she was scared and thought about Shay every time she thought about shooting up then she would stay sober. It might not be the best approach but, hopefully it was the one that would work.

Wendy nodded at Shay's somewhat comforting words before wandering off in search of Gemma.

Shay ran a hand through her dark hair, her leg beginning to bounce up and down. Today was going to be a long day.

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SHAY HELD LEELA IN HER ARMS, A SMILE ON HER FACE as she watched Jax and Wendy enter the house with Abel in Jax's arms.

The full house erupted into cheers at Jax smiled brightly at his family, his blue eyes locking with Shay's. The smile on his face reminded Shay of when they first bought Leela home. He had been so excited to be a dad ( nervous but excited ) and while the excitement never wore off his availability and promises did.

"Hey kid, I'm your grandpa." Clay smiled as he looked at Abel. "Want your first beer?" He joked while placing a loving hand on Jax's shoulder.

Shay smile at the interaction before heading towards the kitchen. She would find Jax and Abel later when it was less crowded and Leela could have more then two minutes to see her baby brother. She hoped Leela and Abel would come to have a relationship like the one she and Natalie have. The kind where they always had each other's back no matter what, because she knew the siblings were going to need each other in this kind of lifestyle.

"Hey."

Shay smiled at the sound of Donna's voice. Since Donna had confessed about her conversation with June Stahl the two best friends hadn't talk much. It was a hard situation for the Miller woman to be in and she hated it.

"Hey." Shay hoisted Leela higher up on her hip making the girl let out a small giggle. "What are you doing hiding out in here?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow at her friend.

"I'm not hiding." Donna stated matter of factly. "I came in here to get more beer and then I heard everyone cheering and I figured it was too awkward for me to go back in after that." Donna explained as she leaned against the counter, crossing her arms across her chest.

Shay nodded, "yeah it would of been a bit awkward for you to just pop up after that." The dark haired woman teased as she playfully bumped her shoulder into Donna's.

Donna let out a laugh, "what are you doing hiding out in here?" She questioned raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not hiding." Shay denied as she let out a scoff which earned her a pointed look from Donna. "It's just crowded out there. I'll let Leela spend time with Jax and Abel when it quiets down." She explained once she saw the look on her friend's face.

"Right." Donna laughed.

Silence took over the kitchen as the best friends stood there lost in their own minds. Shay wanted to ask about June Stahl but knew right now and here wasn't the time or place.

"There's my two favorite girls." Opie's voice broke the silence as he entered the kitchen with a smile on his face causing Leela to wave her arms excitedly at the tall man.

"Hey, Ope." Shay smiled as she handed Leela over to Opie's welcoming arms. "How's it going out there?" She questioned while scratching at her forehead.

"Well Tara just showed up." Opie said as he made funny faces at Leela causing her to let out loud giggles.

"That should be interesting." Shay muttered.

She was in no mood for Tara Knowles and her self righteousness. Wasn't it exhausting for the doctor to always think she was better than everyone else? Didn't she find it tiring to always find something wrong with Jax's lifestyle? No one had begged her to come back yet here she was clawing her way back in yet complaining ever step of the way as though she didn't ask for this.

"Jax was asking where you and Leela were." Opie said as he stared at the dark haired Miller woman.

A small sigh left Shay's lips, "guess I better go out there then. Wish me luck." She said to the married couple while taking Leela from Opie's arms.

"Good luck." Opie laughed at he placed an arm around Donna's shoulders.

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AFTER TARA HAD CAUSED A SCENE AND LEFT THE WELCOME HOME PARTY HAD DIED DOWN A LITTLE.

Shay sat next to Chibs, watching as Jax held Abel in one arm and Leela in another. It made a smile form on her face as she watched Jax with his children. She knew he could be a good dad if only he tried harder.

"He looks so happy." Chibs thick Scottish accent spoke as he looked at Shay with a smile. "I think it's all thanks to you, lass."

Shay stared at the scarred older man, "I wouldn't say that. I hardly see him. I don't think I have much to do with Jax's happiness." She said with a shrug.

Maybe a year ago she would have agreed with Chibs but now, no. Tara was in his life again and though they had slept together recently she doubted that one night of passion had to do with anything.

Chibs let out a hum but decided against saying anything else which Shay was more than grateful for. She liked Chibs and didn't feel like telling him to mind his own business.

"I'll take the truck and you take my car and take the kids home. I wanna stay and help."

Shay overheard Donna say to Opie and she turned her attention towards the couple, watching as they looked at each other with smiles.

"Really? You're okay?" He asked with a wide smile.

"Yeah." Donna nodded. "Shay is still here and Gemma could use the help." She added as her eyes glanced over towards Shay.

"Okay. I love you." Opie said, placing a kiss on her lips.

"I love you too." She smiled as the couple exchanged keys.

A smile took over Shay's face as she watched the couple. Maybe the mess with June Stahl had resolved itself. Maybe Shay could breathe easier now knowing Donna hadn't made a deal with the devil that would get herself killed.

If only Shay knew how wrong she was.

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awkward cliff hanger I'm sorry! I think we all know what's going to happen next chapter ☹️ thank you for all the votes and comments!