JAX SAT IN THE TM OFFICE with his cell clutched tightly in his hand, exhaling with a deep sighᅳ  again. He had been sitting here for thirty minutes, going back and forth in his mind on whether he should really call Gemma.

People kept working in the garage, the sound of tools falling to the floor and engines starting up roared in his ears despite the closed door. He didn't know why he was even sitting in here, he hadn't been in here since he had made Gemma leave.

Part of him missed the conversations with her, even though he hated to admit it, and her advice when he needed it. Or the playful banter and her sarcastic comments. It took him way too long to realize that Tara was just as much to blame for all of this, not just him and Gemma and their once close bondᅳ which had long since been torn apart.

What Jax also knew was that he hadn't always treated his mother fairly, partly because he had allowed Tara to influence him, even manipulate him. But he wasn't sure if he could forgive Gemma for what she had done to Jade.

'You don't have to forget it, but you can try to forgive her', were Jade's words when they were lying in bed together last night, his Old Lady clearly noticing that he had often gotten lost in his thoughts over the last few weeks.

Since Jade's mom had been part of their little family for weeks now, he had started to think about his own mother a lot. Even if he wouldn't have believed it, Serena was great with the boys, playing and talking with them as if she had never done anything else but spend time with children.

The first week that Serena had come to visit every day, he had seen the pain in Jade's eyes, that she wished her mother had been the same back then when she was still a childᅳ but the pain had gradually faded as the two women had spent time together and grown closer. He himself wasn't enthusiastic at first, the fear that Jade would be disappointed by her once again was just too great; but now he really believed that Serena wanted to take responsibility for her mistakes back then.

Watching how his kids enjoyed having a grandma, he sometimes wished Gemma was still part of his little family. Plus, he and Jade had a night to themselves now and then without having to constantly ask Chibs if the boys could stay with himᅳ even though the Scotsman loved Abel and Thomas as if they were his own grandchildren.

And now he was sitting here, in the office that his mother always had so well under control, which couldn't be said about the new girl working here, wondering if he should give her another chance. When he finally decided to dial her number, he felt a pang of guilt towards Jade in his chest, even though she had assured him that it was okay.

Just as he was considering hanging up, he heard Gemma's surprised voice on the other end of the line. "Jax?"

"Yeah, it's me." His voice was still cold, clipped and full of skepticism. "Just wanted to know if you have time tonight? You can bring Nero."

"Time for what?" He heard the clear excitement in his mother's tone, the hope and desperation. "It's good to hear from you, Jackson. Means a lot to me."

"I know, so don't make me regret it", there was something warning in his calm tone as he leaned back into the cushions of the old blue couch. Resting his elbow on the armrest, he supported his head with two fingers pressed against his forehead. "At our house for dinner, how about six?"

Silence stretched between the two, the tension rising before Gemma found her voice again. "Yeah sure, that would be nice. You want us to bring something?"

"No, Jade and I got it", the blonde replied, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he heard the joy in Gemma's tone. "Mom, don't mess this up again, you hear me?"

"I won't, I swear, Jax", she said quickly, trying to hold back a sob that eventually reached Jax ear anyway. "We'll be here. Thank you baby, I appreciate it."

Jax nodded slightly, even though she couldn't see it. "Again, I know. See you later, ma."

And with that, he hung up, leaning back again with a deep sigh. Running his hands down his face, he heaved a dry laugh, still not sure if this was the right decision. But he hoped so; for his boys, Jade, and himself.

ᅳ

JADE WATCHED JAX FROM the corner of her eye as she wiped down the kitchen counter while dinner was already in bowls, dishes and pots on the large dining room table in the living room. It was almost six, which meant Gemma and Nero could show up at any minute.

She could practically feel the nervousness radiating from her Old Man as he stood at the open window, taking deep drags from his cigarette, a small cloud of smoke forming around him every few seconds. The smell of nicotine didn't bother her even though she had quit smoking again a while back, but they still made sure the boys didn't get any of it so the window in the kitchen was always open.

"It's going to be okay, baby", she said softly, tossing the rag into the sink before slowly strolling over to him. With a soft hum, she wrapped her arms around his waist, their eyes meeting as she looked up at him. "Are you okay?"

Jax nodded slightly before stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray on the windowsill, wrapping his arms loosely around Jade's shoulders. "Just feels weird letting her back in, you know?"

"Yeah, I know",'she replied, planting a kiss on the corner of his mouth, earning a faint smile in return. "But I also know that you miss herᅳ and don't tell me you don't. Sometimes you just have to forgive things, Jax."

"How can you be so optimistic? After what she did to you?", he asked, genuinely interested since he wasn't sure if he could.

"Because I made mistakes too; like not telling you and Gemma about Thomas in the first place." With a shrug of her shoulders, she glanced out the window as she heard a car park outside, quickly realizing it was Gemma and Nero. "So I understand why she was so angry, which doesn't mean that I'm defending her", the brunette said sternly as she slowly pulled away and nodded toward the window. "They're here."

"Babe wait." Jax quickly grabbed Jade's wrist, pulling her close once more. He leaned his other hand against her cheek, pulling her into a loving kiss, sighing contentedly as he felt Jade's lips curve into a smile. "Whatever happens, I've got your back. One word against you and she's out of here, okay?"

Jade's smile widened as she listened to Jax' words, her forehead resting against his. "And I've always got your back, no matter what decisions you make, okay?"

"I love you, darlin'", he croaked against her lips, her face now cupped in both of his hands before he released her with one final kiss. "Let's get this dinner over with", he winked before following a giggling Jade out of the kitchen, smacking her ass on the way.

"Hey! There are kids in the house..and soon also your mom", she scolded him playfully while flashing him her sweetest smile. "I love you too, by the way."

"Good to know, and now open the door before I change my mind and do other things with my Old Lady", he whispered against her ear after grabbing her hips from behind, gently pushing her towards the door.

"Stop it now", Jade giggled before pushing his hands off her hips so she could take a look in the mirror over the shoe rack.

Her outfit looked great, as did her make-up. For whatever reason, she just wanted to look good today and had chosen a dark red dress that ended at mid-thigh and had spaghetti straps, which she had bought last week when she was out shopping with her mother. Yes, they were doing things like that now, which she sometimes couldn't even believe herself.

Her brown hair sat in a ponytail, revealing the necklace that hung around her neck. About two months ago, Jax had surprised her with it on her birthday. The gold pendant on it could be opened, and inside was a picture of them and the boys that they had taken when they had taken a trip to Palm Springs a few weeks earlier.

"You look great, darlin'", Jax assured her with a wink, casually leaning against the wall while watching his Old Lady with admiration.

"Thank you", she smiled sheepishly before finally opening the door, Gemma's hand already lifted to knock. It felt strange to be standing in front of her, but Jade still put on a friendly smile. "Hey, nice to have you here."

"Thanks for inviting us," Gemma answered sincerely before she hesitantly entered the house and handed Jade a plate that she had balanced on the palm of her hand. "Jax said we didn't have to bring anything, but I thought a few cookies wouldn't hurt."

"And they taste really good", Nero noted, as always a welcoming smile on his face as he greeted Jade with a quick hug. "You guys doing okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine, I hope you're too." Jade and Nero had met several times when she was at the clubhouse with the boys and Jax and Nero had business to talk about, so he wasn't really a stranger. "And thanks for the cookies, the boys will love them."

"Since when do you bake?" Jax could no longer bite back the question, a slight, almost teasing grin crossed his features as he pushed himself off the wall. "Boys, come down! Grandma and Nero are here", he hollered the next moment.

"If you only knew what I've done in the last few months to find myself again", Gemma shot back with an amused snort, enjoying the fact that the atmosphere seemed less tense than she had expected. "The boys are here too?", she asked, clearly surprised.

"Yeah, why shouldn't they?" Jade asked with genuine curiosity, already hearing the small footsteps of the boys running down the stairs. "We thought you'd be happy to see them."

"I am", Gemma shot back immediately, sounding excited and even grateful. "I just didn't think you'd let me see them already. That'sᅳ", she shook her head, exchanging a look with Jax and Jade. "That's really nice of you. Thanks for that."

"Like I said, don't mess this up", this time it was less of a warning and more a plea to his mother, Jax' bright blue eyes looking straight into her brown ones. "We really wanna give you a chance, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"And we appreciate that, manno", Nero said sincerely, placing his hand on Gemma's back. "It was about time we all sit down at a table together, maybe talk things out."

"I think so too", Jade agreed, nodding before gently grabbing both kids by the arms as they ran into the living room. "Hey, slow down before you hurt yourselves", she scolded, though it sounded more like a loving warning.

"Sorry Mommy", Abel chirped with a sweet smile. "We won't do it again."

"Daddy up!" As he spotted the new people, Thomas lifted his little arms as he stood in front of Jax, who picked him up with a chuckle.

"Are we getting shy now, huh?", he asked while running his large hand over Thomas' blond hair, the boy looking at Gemma and Nero with big, curious eyes, although his face was half hidden on Jax' shoulder. "It's just Grandma and her Nero, buddy."

"Oh my god." Gemma folded her hands in front of her mouth as a loud gasp escaped her lips. "My babies have grown so big."

For the last year, she had followed all the rules Jax had given her, even if she had only gotten through some things with Nero's help, her heart still bleeding from having missed out on so much. But she knew why, knew that Jax had basically only acted fairly.

That meant that she hadn't seen Abel or Thomas since they last met in the grocery store almost a year ago. And both boys had grown so big that she could have started crying right then and there, knowing she had ruined it for herself.

"Grandma!" Abel ran towards the woman, his arms spread wide. Things had changed in the last yearᅳ but he had never forgotten his grandma. "I missed you!"

"Oh, I missed you too, baby", the matriarch murmured after she crouched down to pull the boy in her arms. "Grandma is so happy to see you."

"Why were you gone so long?" Abel's little arms still wrapped around Gemma's neck, he looked at her questioningly, way too young to understand what had happened between his parents and grandma.

"Not now, Abel, okay? That's a story for another day", Jax explained to his older son, balancing Thomas on his arm while ruffling Abel's hair. "Let's eat, alright?"

"Okay!" Satisfied with the explanation, Abel grabbed Gemma's hand and with the other grabbed Nero's, who had stayed a little in the background. "I'll show you where you can sit!"

"Do that, buddy", Jade assured him, looking more at Gemma, giving her permission with a soft nod to spend time with her grandkids. "Sit down. If you want the boys can show you their rooms after dinner."

"I'll be right with you, baby." Gemma patted Abel's hand before letting go and stepping towards Jade, only to pull the brunette in a hug the next moment, giving her the warmest, most bone-crushing squeeze ever. "Thank you for this, you have no idea how much this means to me after everything I've done."

Jade cast an almost helpless look at Jax, who looked right back at her to see if he should intervene or not. But Jade just shook her head slightly and decided to just allow the hug, slowly relaxing in the matriarch's arms.

Eventually she returned the pressure of Gemma's hug, swallowing softly. "Just don't ever do that again, Gem."

"Never again, baby", Gemma promised before slowly pulling away and giving Jade's arms a firm squeeze, looking at the woman proudly. "I know that you are the one for Jax, you always have been. I was just so afraid of being left out again that I didn't want to see that."

"But Jade should've never been the one feeling your anger and fear, mom", Jax chimed in while Abel was already sitting at the table with Nero and Thomas in his high chair. "But if we see that you've really learned from your mistakes, we are ready to let you back in."

"I have, Jax, believe me", Gemma assured both of them, nothing but sincerity in her unusually gentle tone. "I just want my family back."

"Then maybe we should finally start eating and catch up a little, huh?" Jade suggested, returning Gemma's smile as she made an inviting gesture toward the table. "You can sit between Abel and Thommy if you want."

"Are you sure?", the older Brunette asked as she slowly walked toward the table and placed her bag on the side of a chair after letting it slide off her shoulder.

"Yeah, sit down", Jax nodded, briefly squeezing his mother's arm before gently pushing Jade toward her chair before he sat down himself. "Jade really put a lot of love and effort in this, I don't think anyone's going to bed hungry tonight."

"Smells delicious, really", Nero said honestly, smiling at the young woman. "And I bet it tastes just as good as it smells."

"Well, I learned from the best", she replied, flashing Gemma a smile. Despite everything that happened she was grateful for what Gemma had taught her back then. "Okay, let's eat!"

While the food was being passed around, the conversations started. Jax and Jade also wanted to clear things up and mentioned that Serena was back and now also part of the family, whereupon Gemma suggested inviting her to the next dinner.

As the evening wore on, Gemma also told how she had been doing in the last year, that she had supported Nero a lot but had also tried to find her own way. At the end, as promised, the boys were allowed to show their rooms and play with their grandma, whereupon Thomas' shyness finally subsided a bit. Maybe there was actually a chance for more peace in the future.

The thing with Alison was still something that Jade wanted to work on. Part of her hoped that she could just have her best friend back at some point. But for today, the only thing that mattered was that Jax and Gemma would get closer again, which would probably still take a while.

While Nero and Jax were still playing with the boys in Abel's room, Gemma searched for Jade, who she found downstairs in the kitchen. "Hey, need any help?"

The matriarch didn't even wait for an answer and started washing the roasting pan in the sink while Jade loaded the dishwasher, a smile forming on her lips as she looked around.

"Oh, thanks, but you don't have to help me", Jade smiled anyway, grateful that she would probably finish faster that way. Nevertheless, she still wanted to talk about something that was on her mind. "Listen, I know that I was wrong to keep Thomas from you andᅳ"

"Stop right there, sweetheart", Gemma warned her surprisingly lovingly, letting a deep sigh fall from her lips. "It may not have been okay, but I also know that you just wanted to spare yourself the pain of seeing Jax every day while he was taking care of his other son but not yours."

Surprised by the matriarch's understanding, the brunette nodded slightly. "That's exactly how it wasᅳ the thought just hurt, so I left. Still, it wasn't right."

"We all make mistakes, Jade, I know what I'm talking about." Gemma put the roasting pan aside to let it dry before turning more towards Jade. "What I did was absolutely not okay. I acted out of fear and thought the only way I can keep seeing my grandkids is if I took Tara's side."

"Did she blackmail you?" Jade asked carefully after she had closed and turned on the dishwasher, rubbing her hands dry with a kitchen towel.

"No, that was all my doing, sweetheart", Gemma admitted honestly, and she still hated herself for it. "But Tara knew how to get me on her side without having to blackmail me. By using Abel."

Jade snorted a bitter laugh, fiddling with her fingers. "Yeah, I know, Jax said she always did that. And he still regrets not seeing through her mind games sooner."

"It is what it isᅳ like I said, we all made mistakes", Gemma said with a shrug, grabbing a pack of cigarettes that was lying on the windowsill. "Can I?"

"Sure, just open the window please." Scratching her forehead, Jade sat down on one of the two chairs. "Did she try to reach out to you again?"

"Twice", Gemma replied, blowing out the first cloud of smoke, the smoke immediately disappearing into the cool night air, the stars already in the sky. "But I declined her calls, even the one from her lawyer."

Jade chewed on her lip, lifting her heel to put it down the chair so she could pull her leg up to her chest. "Aren't you curious?"

"Not anymore. I know she's only calling because she's desperateᅳ otherwise I'd be the last person she'd normally call", the older woman snorted, flicking the ash off her cigarette. "And I'm done playing her gamesᅳ that stupid bitch can burn in hell."

"Well, neither Jax nor I would be thrilled if you got back in touch with her", she said honestly without feeling bad about it. "We don't want to forbid you from doing anything, we also don't want to emotionally blackmail you, but as soon as we hear that you're in contact with Tara again, your chance is over."

"I'm not stupid, sweetheart", Gemma assured her sternly, her eyebrows drawn together tightly. "I want to see my boys happy, all three of themᅳ and today I was able to see how much Jax loves you. I've never seen so much admiration in his eyes, not even when he and Tara were still teenagers. And the boys", the matriarch smiled, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "They love you, including Abel. He looks so carefree with you."

Jade's cheeks turned a soft red. She had never doubted Jax' love for her, she knew he adored her and it was the same the other way around. Still, it was good to hear that others noticed that too. "Well, I just want my boys to be happy and I'll do anything for them."

"I can see that", Gemma hummed as she sat down on the other chair. "And I'm proud of you, believe it or notᅳ you're making a great Old Lady. You already got his crow?"

"Thank you Gemma, really." she said sincerely, looking over at the woman. "And yeah, I got his crow a few months ago. Happy had designed it, turned out really beautiful." They shared a smile, the atmosphere absolutely peaceful and familiar, as if they had never had any problems. "Do you think Abel misses her sometimes? Tara, I mean."

Gemma let out a sigh at Jade's question. "Hard to say, but to be honest, I don't think so. Tara was hardly home, he saw me and Neeta way more", she reached out to pat Jade's knee, which was still drawn up against the young woman's chest. "He called you mommy all evening, doesn't that say enough?"

"I justᅳ" Jade let out a frustrated groan, slumping her shoulders. "I only want the best for him and at the same time I've grown so fond of him that I don't want him to ever see Tara as his mom againᅳ it just feels like he belongs to me, you know?"

"You love that boy, there's nothing wrong with that, Jade." Gemma pulled her hand back with a smile, eyeing the woman. "You're his mom, that's not going to change. So stop worrying about whether Abel is okay; you can see he is."

"Maybe you're right." Jade's features softened, her muscles relaxing as she leaned forward a little. "Thanks again."

Gemma waved it off, glad that she could help Jade a little. "Not for that, baby."

It still felt weird sitting here, talking to Gemma about such familiar things, and at the same time it was Jade's way of letting the matriarch back in, seeing if the dynamic workedᅳ and it did.

If it stayed that way, the Cooper woman had no problem giving Gemma that chance. Now only Jax had to be okay with it too, which Jade had no doubts about after tonight.

word count; about 3.9k

ᅳ

authors note; Tara comes back in the next chapter, which means lots of drama is coming (and I mean it; lots of drama is coming, I'm sorry about that already but a great idea popped up in my mind yesterday). That's why I kinda wanted to get them all back together so we only have one villain for a while (more villains at once per story are way too exhausting to write at the moment, sorry!). Please feel free to let me know what you'd like to see and if you still enjoy this story. 🤎

another note; please check out MarleyElona 's Jax Teller fanfiction called Mending the King. She's a great writer and I'm sure you'll love that one; the storyline is amazing. 🥰