TLR CHAPTER 109

Katy drove home with her radio off, which was unusual for her, but she felt she needed to think and she didn't want to be distracted by the music.  She stopped at the liquor and grocery stores counting on feeding at least two more men. She was used to men with big appetites and she wanted to make sure she had enough.

Two more men. Jax's partners. Plural. Older than him. One older than her. The thought gnawed at her stomach. Partners. He'd mentioned it earlier and she'd tried not to think about it. She'd tried to think of Jax for once, and his happiness, and to accept his current living situation, but it went against everything she'd been raised to believe.

She distractedly paid for the groceries and went home to ready the house for visitors.  She put the roast and potatoes into the oven to cook while she cleaned the house and got the bedrooms ready.

Normally she found a sort of peace in such routine things but today she had a lot of thinking to do, and her thoughts did not allow for peace.

She changed the linens on her king-sized bed quickly and a little violently as the thought of her son in this bed with two other men... older men... hit her. She stood, near tears, looking at the bed she and Gene had bought just a year and a half ago, fearing then that her marriage was coming to an end but holding onto the hope that there might be some way of saving it. She stomped her foot in exasperation, knowing that she couldn't give in to her emotions at this time.

Next, she went into Jax's room and changed the bedding on his queen-sized bed even though no one had slept in it for the past year.  That could accommodate Dean, certainly.

The more she thought the more rapidly she worked to clean the house. She put another leaf in the kitchen table before putting her company table cloth on it and going into the den for the extra chairs.  

Extra chairs.

Partners. Plural. Older. And they made him call them sir? Katy's mind raced.

Finally, she finished the small chores and went into the kitchen to open one of the bottles of wine to pour herself a glass. She sat down in the living room next to the phone to await word from Jax, and to think.

Katy sighed and closed her eyes against the tears that kept threatening to fall. She knew she hadn't been much of a mother to her only son. First marrying Gene who she'd allowed to rule the house and her. Then sending Jax to live with his father in California.  She hadn't realized how good of a man Jax's father had been until she'd been married to Gene, who had changed drastically after the first year of their marriage, turning into a controlling and distant man at best.

Gene had been so attentive and loving when they'd first met, a year after her divorce. He'd offered her everything she thought she wanted. He'd promised that they would have more children as well, but for some unknown reason the two of them had been unable to conceive together, and he'd refused to try alternative methods, or to even consider adoption.

Then her ex had died and she'd been faced with raising a child again. The child she'd basically abandoned. The child who was now a young man. The boy she'd held at a distance because of her fear of contradicting Gene, and of the rejection she knew she deserved. 

The big man had never physically abused her, but he'd had no problem using his sheer size to intimidate her. The memory of those large hands that had once been so loving turned into meaty hammers as he clenched and raised them as though to punch her.

She saw now how verbally abusive he was and had been, not only to her but to her son when he'd come to live with them.  And she hadn't protected her boy.  So much for the mothering instinct she'd heard so much about, she thought wryly.

After taking another sip of her wine she got up and found the photo album she'd kept of Jax growing up, starting from the day he'd been born, and including pictures that his father had sent to her in letters.  Gene hadn't been happy about their continued communications and had begun to intercept the letters, reading and tearing them up before she could see them. Yelling at her, looming over her, his face red, his once tender lips contorted in anger. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories. Guilt over how cowardly she'd been overwhelming her. Finally, the tears came in a torrent and she sat back down, suddenly feeling very weak and fatigued.

Her thoughts turned back to Jaxon. He'd not been truly happy one day since his father had passed. He'd been withdrawn, pale and much too thin in the years he'd spent with her. Now... now he had grown. He was at a healthy weight and his skin had lost that waxy pallor.  His partners had done that. They'd succeeded where she'd failed. And they made him happy.

Taking a deep breath and another shaky sip from her glass she leaned backward onto the couch. 

Who was she to get in the way, she thought. Who was she to object to her son's lifestyle, or who he chose to live with, especially when they seemed to be so good for him. And, she thought with a huff of derision aimed at herself, who was she to judge anyone. Her worries that he was in some sort of cult lessened as she meandered through her own mind.  From what she'd heard of cults they insisted that all communications between the followers and their families be cut off. 

Dean and Griff hadn't had a problem bringing him back to Elmville, nor with coming to the house to have lunch or dinner and to do some much needed and appreciated work.  They hadn't done the talking for him but allowed him to speak freely. Both of them had been instrumental in protecting Jax from Gene when he'd burst in. Something she knew she wouldn't have been brave enough to do on her own. In fact, she thought, if it hadn't been for the young man who'd come to deliver the letter from Jax, and Dean and his brother finally putting Gene in his place, she'd never have had the courage to finally throw him out and file for the divorce.

Men who could do that, she thought, couldn't be bad. 

She got up to baste the roast and turn the potatoes which were browning nicely, then freshened up her glass of wine before sitting back down next to the phone. Her stomach clenched again as she worried about Griff, injured and in the hospital, and hoped that Jax or Dean would call her soon to give her an update. 

<<<<>>>> 

Jax carefully pulled Dean’s truck onto the driveway, leaving room for the van next to him.  He watched as James backed it up to the front steps.

Katy heard the vehicles and ran to open the doors so that the men could help their friend in. She'd been happy that Griff would be alright, but worried about him being let go from the hospital.  She smiled as she saw Jax.

James cut the engine once he was in position and stepped out of the van. He watched as Heath got out to go to the back. "Need my help?" he asked.

"I think Dean should be able to carried Griff into the house," Heath answered winking at James.

Dean turned to look at the doctor.  He noticed the grin on the man's face.  "Yeah, I can do that."

James shook his head. "I'd suppose you could Dean." He went over to Jax and put an arm around him. "You okay kiddo?" He asked softly.

"Yeah, but what's going on?  Why did Doc wink at you?"

James smiled. "He knows Dean is capable of taking care of Griff and... well, I suspect he feels responsible for him, after all, they do work together."

"OH," Jax grinned, "I thought it was because you two knew Dean liked Griff like you two like me.”

James smiled at Jax and said, "I'm not sure, but that too may be a possibility."

Griff struggled to scoot to the edge of the bed the guys had made up in the van. He hurt everywhere and was happy to see Dean waiting for him.  He allowed the big man to help him out of the van and was relieved when Dean scooped him up like he weighed nothing.

Katy's eyes widened a bit when she saw the silver haired man get out of the van. That had to be James, she thought. Oh, my Lord! No wonder Jaxon was in love with him.  It wasn't until she saw Dean come up to the door, carrying Griff, that she saw Heath. Pressing her lips together, she pushed aside her misgivings once more and welcomed them into the house.

Katy moved the stops so that the screen door would stay open and held the inside door while the men filed in.

James walked up to the house with Jax, smiling at the woman he guessed was his mother. "Hello Mrs. Thomas? I'm James Harrington. Thank you for allowing Griff to stay and us as well. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated." He met her eyes with his smoky blue ones.

Katy nearly lost her breath at the sight of those eyes but regained her composure quickly and smiled up at the tall man.  "You're all very welcome.  If you need to lay Griff on the couch it's to the right.  If needed, we can eat in the living room."

"Thanks Katy," Dean said walking into the living room.  He stood holding his precious cargo not sure he was ready to let go.

James smiling said, "Thank you. I'll defer that to Heath, our doctor who will be caring for Griff."

"Mom, this is Heath Forsyth,” Jax said as another tall man came into the room.

"It's nice to meet you, Heath," Katy said, smiling up at the other man. She felt like a gnome surrounded by all these tall, well-built men, but it also gave her a sense of safety she hadn't had in a long time.

"Nice finally meeting you too, Mrs. Thomas," Heath returned the greeting.  "Your son has told us a lot about you."

"It's very nice to meet you, Heath." Katy replied with a smile, battling down the fear of exactly what Jax might have told them. "Please make yourselves comfortable anywhere you like.  I have wine, beer, coolers, soda, iced tea, lemonade, coffee or tea?"

James nodded. "Yes, he has and we really like taking care of Jax and keeping him safe." He said, keeping his arm around the young man's shoulders.

Dean walked Griff over to the couch and gently laid him down.  Griff groaned softly.  "Easy boy, Doc will give you something for the pain."

Since none of the men had made a decision about what they'd wanted to drink, Katy decided to play it safe.  She closed the doors and went into the kitchen to put some glasses on a tray, carried them into the living room and then brought out pitchers of iced tea and lemonade, looking worriedly at Griff.

James looked down at Jax. "You stay close to Heath. I need to move and park the van. I'm sure your mother doesn't want it blocking the front door." Seeing that Heath was busy, James smiled at Jax and slipped outside to take care of the van and then let himself back in, taking note of the house and its layout out of habit.

The young doctor opened the white pharmacy bag the nurse had given him. Pulling out one of the bottles, he popped the cap turning out two of the little white pills into his hand.  "Do you have any juice, Mrs. Thomas?" he asked their hostess.

"Orange juice, cranberry or apple?" she asked, eager to help in any way she could.

Griff looked up at Dean, "Apple, please," he whispered.

"One apple juice coming up," Katy replied, running back into the kitchen to get the juice. She came back with a nearly overflowing glass, trying not to spill as she walked back across the living room to the couch.

Heath passed the pills to Dean who was waiting for the apple juice before raising Griff’s head and shoulders up so he could swallow then and sip the liquid.

"Griff, how are you feeling?" she asked, concerned.

"Can I get some more pillows or anything?" she asked Heath.

"Maybe a couple more pillows under his shoulders would be great, Mrs. Thomas," the doctor answered.

“Please call me Katy," the woman said as she ran into her bedroom to take a few pillows and an extra blanket out of the chest at the foot of her bed.

When Katy came back, Dean with her help made the boy more comfortable. Before Griff could thank them, he was asleep again.

"We're going to have to wake him every 30 minutes."  Heath instructed in full doctor mode.

The woman, seeing that everything was under control, went back into the kitchen, set her egg timer for 30 minutes and then asked the men if they were ready to eat.  "Dinner is just about ready.  Do you want to stay in the living room to be near him?" she asked.

"Would you mind if we ate in here, Katy?"  Dean asked.   "Or I can stay with Griff while you all eat in the dining room."

"No, no, of course, we can all eat in here," she said, waving the thought away. "I'd feel better if I can watch him too," she added a little sheepishly.  "You can come in one at a time and fill your plates with whatever you like, ok?"

Heath put his hand on the nape of his younger lover's neck.  "Come on little boy, let's fill our plates and one for Dean too."

"I'm not too hungry with all the stuff happening, but Mom does make a mean roast beef," Jax bragged on his mother's cooking.

"I don't imagine Dean is hungry either, but both of you need to eat."

James said, "It's important you eat Jax, it won't help Griff any, not eating."  He filled a plate and smiled at the younger man.

"And you wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, would you? After I went to so much trouble to cook?" Katy asked teasingly.

Jax nodded, knowing his guys wouldn't accept him not eating, He filled his plate with a couple of slices of meat, a few roasted potatoes that he smashed before adding butter and gravy to them.  He turned to leave and heard the younger of his partners clearing his throat and turned back to accept the spoonful of veggies the Doc held out to him.

Heath filled his plate and one for Dean.  He placed 2 forks on the other man's plate in case Griff woke and was hungry.

James smiled as his partner put vegetables on their boy's plate. "This is very good of you Katy," he told the woman.

"It's the least I can do," Katy replied with a smile, shaking her head a little in amazement.  "To see Jax again, so happy and healthy, and for all the help that Dean, Griff and Jax gave me when I needed it."

Katy held out a hand for the second plate to carry it back into the other room.

Dean, having pulled an ottoman next to Griff on the couch, took the plate the woman held out to him.  "Thank you, Katy," he told her.  Then he simply set it on the coffee table.

Both Heath and James watched as their friend put the plate down.  The young doctor started to say something but thought maybe Dean would accept a scolding better from his older partner.

James looking at the younger man said, "You should eat your meal while it's still warm. If Griff's gets cold before he can eat it, I'm sure Katy can warm it up for him."

"My pleasure." Katy smiled as she sat down on a chair by the coffee table with her own meal and a half a glass of wine.  She looked at Griff again. He seemed too pale and she tried to eat despite her worries. She was just very grateful to Dean for being there to save Jax, and possibly herself, from Gene.

As they all ate, Heath broached the subject that was floating in the room.  "Katy, I'm sure you were surprised to learn Jax was living with two men as partners.  As lovers?"

James nodded as Heath brought up this subject.

Katy nearly choked on a piece of roast but managed to swallow it with a sip of her wine.  "I... well... it did bother me a little at first," she admitted, "but seeing how happy and healthy Jax is now compared to when he left... I really can't complain. And after meeting you two, I can see why he loves you so much."

The resort owner told her, "We love him very much and our lives have been better for him in it as well."

"I'm very glad to hear that, James. He is a wonderful kid... man... and he deserves the best."

Jax smiled.  "I'm very happy, Mom.  My guys are the best."

"I'm happy for you too, hon," she replied with a somewhat sad smile.  "It's about time you had the happiness you deserve in your life."

"Bout time you got some too, Mom," her only son added.

His mother huffed a rueful laugh. "Now that Gene is gone, I'm much happier and feel much safer. Until they let him back out again," she said nervously.

"James says Gene ain't getting free for a very long time," the youngest man in the room said.

"I hope so, but Gene has contacts. It's one of the reasons I could never leave. He'd always tell me that he knew people who would come after me to bring me back... and... he didn't come right out and say it but he made veiled threats that you might get hurt as well.  I was..." her thoughts trailed off and she put her fork down, carefully picking up the glass of wine once more and taking a little more.  Her hands shook slightly at the memory. "Afraid for you," she continued softly.

Jax studied his mom, seeing her in a new light.  But there was one question he needed to ask.  "Mom, why did you and Dad break up?  Did Gene have something to do with it?"

"No, hon, I didn't know Gene until after the divorce. As far as me and your dad were concerned," she sighed regretfully, "he had a ranger position available to him in California and I didn't want to live there.  He wouldn't think of living anywhere else... so we decided it would be best if he went on alone and I could stay here in my own house with you," she explained.

James listening to everything said, "I also have very far reaching contacts and I can assure you, Katy, that Jax will be safe as well as you. I've been in touch with our attorney Oliver Barrett.  Gene will be fully investigated and from what I've learned so far will be in prison for a very long time."

“Katy, I’m not saying Gene doesn’t have contacts, but as usually happens, big blustery bullies usually don’t have the friends they threaten they have,” Heath explained.  “It’s a tactic they use to control their family.”

Katy smiled gratefully. "Thank you, James. And I see that now, Heath. I was so scared for so long.  James? Will your friend charge much?" she asked a little uncomfortably.  "It cost a bit to serve Gene with the papers and I really don't have much to spend on attorneys."

"Don't you worry about the charges, Katy.  Griff is one of our own and Jax is our partner. That makes you family so anything you need legally is also covered."

The slight woman let out a sigh of relief.  "I can't thank you enough," she said near tears, trying to cover her emotions by taking another sip of her wine and looking off at the fireplace.  "I'm going to build a fire," she said suddenly. She was very much afraid that if she started crying in front of the men she'd embarrass herself.  Gene always made fun of her whenever she cried, so she'd taught herself to stop.

"Let me help you, Mom," her son said.  "And if James says it'll be ok, then it's gunna be OK."

The older of Jax’s partners, seeing Katy's distress went over and enveloped her in a hug. "It's all right to have feelings Katy, we all do."

At first Katy held back but James's strong, reassuring hug was too much to resist. She gave in to her tears and sobbed against the front of his shirt, sure she'd never be able to stop.  "I'm so grateful," she said through hitching breaths. She wasn't sure who but someone handed her some napkins and she wiped her face and nose before getting herself back together. First Dean, and now James, holding her and reassuring her. These men really were a dream come true.  Too bad they were taken, she thought ruefully.

James took the paper napkins out of her hands and pressed a linen handkerchief into them. "Here... this will be better and there's no shame in expressing emotions, especially tears." He turned compassionate smoky blue eyes on the woman.

She sighed again, wringing her hands. "I don't know what I'd have done without all of you," she said as she dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief.

The resort owner said quietly, "You only need to accept our help now and not worry about what might have been. You're in good hands.  A doctor, a retired Marine, a construction worker, in fact three of them, what more can a woman need?" he teased gently, stilling her wringing hands.

Katy managed a real laugh and smiled at James gratefully.

Griff moaned as he opened his eyes to see Dean sitting beside him.  "Thirsty," he groaned.

Jax's mother immediately picked up the apple juice and handed it to Dean. She owed these men so much.

James smiled back and then glanced over at Griff.  "Welcome back to the world of the living," he teased gently.

Griff was having trouble drinking from the glass.  "Katy, would you have a straw?" Dean asked the worried woman.

"Yes, yes, I think I do," the woman replied, getting up to search the cabinets for the package of bendy straws she had left over from their New Year's Eve party. She found them and went back as quickly as she could, handing the straw to Dean.

James went over and helped raise Griff some so it would be easier for him to drink, even with a straw.

Katy gently pushed a couple of pillows behind the injured man while the two others propped him up, making him as comfortable as she could.

"Easy, bud, not too fast," Dean warned.

Griff tried to focus his eyes on the people in the room.  He rubbed at his eyes, but everything was still fuzzy.

James said quietly, "You have a concussion. Your vision will clear up in a day or so."

Just then the timer that she'd set went off, so Katy hurried back into the kitchen to reset it.  She also put on some tea water. There was nothing like a good cup of Chamomile when one wasn't feeling well.

Heath leaned over the back of the couch to look into Griff's dull blue eyes. Seeing nothing to worry about he assured the young man, “James is right, you took a hard hit, Griff, but everything will be back to normal soon."

"Are you hungry, Bud?" Dean asked.  But Griff closed his eyes again before he could answer.

James watched Jax carefully. "Maybe you could use a nap, little one," he told him.

"I don't need a nap, James," Jax groused.

Katy hid a smile. Her son sounded so much like he'd done as a little boy and she'd made the same suggestion. He used to stay awake to prove he wasn't sleepy and then pass out at night.

The oldest partner arched an eyebrow. "You've had a hard day and you look tired to me." He glanced at Heath. "What do you think Doc? Naptime?"

"I agree," Katy said pointedly, smiling at her son.  "I have my bedroom set up for the three of you. Why don't you all go lie down for a little.  Dean and I will stay with Griff and I promise we'll call you if anything happens. I have the timer set for the next thirty minutes so I can always come and get you, Heath."

James chuckled. "Looks like Heath and I are being sent along with you my boy," James said, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder.

"Sounds like a plan to me, little boy," Heath agreed.  "We’ve been missing you in our bed at night."

"Sheesh, I was only gone one night," Jax blushed.

"One night without our sandwich filling is one too many for my taste," James said with a grin.

"One night can seem like an eternity when you're not with the ones who mean the most to you," Katy said quietly. She smiled at James's comment and looked again at her son, her heart hurting at the thought of the years she'd lost with him. But better to have him safe with the father who loved him than the step father who might have harmed her son.  Once again, to hide her inner turmoil, she began to gather the plates and utensils so that she could put them in the dish washer.

Heath saw the pain in this frail woman's face.  He would make sure she got to see her son more in the future.

“What are you going to do next time if I have to be gone a week?"

James said, "Go with you...a filling isn't any good without something to squish it in between."

Katy laughed despite herself as she loaded the washer and put the detergent in.  It was so good to hear her son and his partners easy banter, and she said a quiet prayer of thanks.

James smiling at Heath said, "Let's go rest, Doc." He steered Jax toward the room Katy had indicated as being ready for them.

When she walked back into the living room, she looked at Dean and said, "Why don't you take the recliner there, Dean? I'm not sleepy, I'll keep watch and I promise I'll wake you in a half hour as well."

"No, I need to b..."the big man started to say, but then changed his mind knowing he might need to be awake for Griff during the night.  "Ok, but remember to wake me."

"I promise, I'll wake you in time, and if Griff wakes again I'll let you know."

"Maybe we can get him to eat a little something next time he's awake," Dean said.

"If his stomach can handle it I'll get him some ginger ale and some toast... or the tea I was making!" she said as she ran back into the kitchen to turn off the tea pot which had started whistling. She didn't want to run the risk of disturbing any of the resting men.

"Sounds good," Dean said settling into the recliner.  All of a sudden, he couldn't keep his eyes open.  "Don't forget to wake me."

The woman smiled and put a tender hand on his cheek. "I promise," she said softly before taking her wine and a book and curling up into an overstuffed armchair to read.

As the threesome entered the room James took off his jacket and shoes and was about to lie down when his phone buzzed. He sat on the edge of the bed. "Harrington here." he answered. "Hmm..." he nodded. "Yes...I see...hmm..." He glanced at his two partners and then said, "That is good news. Thank you, Oliver...yes, keep in touch." He hung up and had a satisfied smile on his handsome face.

"What?" Jax demanded.

James looked at Jax. "What do you mean what?"

"Um...what did Oliver say," Jax mumbled.

James arched an eyebrow. "What have I told you about mumbling young man?" he asked, but not unkindly.

"Sorry, James," Jax clearly answered.

Heath lay on the bed watching the two men he loved more than life, trusting James to handle their boy.

The older man nodded. "Thank you." He glanced over at Heath and then told his partners, "By the time Oliver finally got through to the courthouse it was too late to find out anything other than Gene will be arraigned tomorrow at 10 in the morning.  He’ll call me back after that.”

Heath reached over and pull his young lover across the bed and into his arms.  "Let James and Oliver worry about it Jax.  Right now, I need you in my arms."

James crawled onto the bed and engulfed the two of them and said with a smile. "Yep, let us oldsters worry about everything," he teased, tapping Jax on the tip of the nose.

Jax giggled when Heath licked his ear.  Between these two men was the safest place in the world.

<<<<>>>> 

The following day after the three men had eaten lunch they made a trip to the grocery store for Katy and had just pulled into the driveway when James’s cell rang.  Heath and Jax hauled the groceries into the house and left the older man to answer the call.  When they returned for the last of the bags James pocketed his cell phone then turned to his partners.  “That was Oliver.  He told me that he was able to get the judge to consider Gene a habitual offender, having several assault charges against him as well as multiple violations of restraining orders and so he's being held without bail until his hearing and trial."

"I guess that's the best news we can expect until the trial," Heath confirmed.

"So, that means Mom will be safe from him?"

James nodded. "Yes, unless he breaks out of jail which isn't likely,” the older man told his youngest partner.

"What about his friends?"

James said, "He's not having contact with anyone but his attorney and I have my own friends that can keep track of his friends and they're not afraid to take action if needed, just like when you first came to the resort Jax." Then the retired Marine said seriously, "I'm well respected and have a very long reach when I need it."

Jax and Dean, when he wasn’t watching Griff, spent the day repairing anything that was needed around Katy’s house.  James spent time in the bedroom talking to Oliver about Gene and Katy.  They developed a plan to keep her safe.

Griff was doing better but after Heath checked him out again he decided that they should stay one more day before the five men headed back to the resort. 

Katy fried up some chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.  She chose fresh steamed green beans as their vegetable remembering that Jax loved them as a young boy. After dinner, they spent a quiet evening watching TV before Katy, her son and his lovers headed off to bed.  Griff slept on the couch with Dean never far away, dozing on the recliner. 

The next morning, Heath found his way to the kitchen following the aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

James was close behind him after covering their young man so he could sleep longer.

Katy was at the stove, making up omelets and home fries while waiting for the toast to pop.

James smiled. "Something smells very good out here," he commented.

Hearing the voices in the kitchen, Dean checked Griff again, making sure he was resting comfortably, and sauntered into the kitchen.    "Something really does smell good, Katy."

"Do you need any help?" Heath asked.

James said, "We all know our way around a kitchen pretty well."

"No, but thanks for asking," Katy answered.  "Go ahead and sit down, the eggs are ready."

"They smell great," Dean commented as he pulled out a chair.

  

"Here you go!" she said with a smile, putting the plates in front of the men.  "Where's Jax?" she asked, looking to see if he was on his way.

James smiled as he took a seat. "He's still snuggled under the covers. We thought we'd let him sleep for a while."

"Oh, that was sweet of you. I'll just make sure to leave some plates in the warmer for Griff and Jax when they're ready to eat."

James smiled. "Thank you that's very thoughtful."

"If he gets a whiff of your omelets he'll be here soon."

She sat down at the table then and began to eat her breakfast. 

Heath looked over at Dean.  "You didn't wake me so can I assume Griff had a good night?" the doctor asked.

The small woman gave Heath an amused smile. "I tried to wake you, but you were out like a light.  Dean and I stayed with him all night, taking it in shifts to wake him and make sure he had a little tea and toast."

"He woke a couple of times clearly in pain but he settled down after I gave him a couple more pain pills," Dean answered. "He's sleeping now."

"Good, maybe the worst is over."

"Thank you again, guys, for everything. I'm just sorry that poor Griff had to get hurt. I should have known..." Katy sighed, letting the thought trail off as she put her fork down, her appetite gone.

James smiled at Katy. "I heard from my attorney Oliver and I'd like to let you know you have nothing to fear from Gene. He was able to be arraigned as a habitual offender and the judge denied bail until his hearing and subsequent trial. He won't be getting out of jail unless they find him not guilty at the trial and Oliver said the chances of that happening are slim to none. He'll be in prison for a long time."

Relief flooded the woman's face. "Oh, my word! Really? That's wonderful!" she said, trying to keep her voice down for the sake of Griff and Jax but only just managing it. She leaned forward and gave James an impulsive hug and a kiss on the temple.  Blushing as she realized what she'd done, she gave the men an embarrassed smile and sat back down, hiding her face behind her coffee cup.

“That’s great news, James,” Dean agreed.

"It's the best news I've had in a long time." Katy smiled widely.

James blushed at the kiss to his temple but smiled. "Yes, it is and as far as his friends...I have far reaching influence and you will not need to worry about them either. Don't be surprised if anyone who threatens you is suddenly accosted by a very large, very no nonsense looking man." He winked at Dean, knowing he had used him from time to time to assist in keeping someone safe.

Katy took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. It was all happening so fast. It seemed that finally things were going her way. She'd lived for so many years in fear of Gene and his nameless, faceless friends. It was as though a huge weight had lifted off of her shoulders.  She laughed at the image that James had painted for her, and loving the sense of freedom that suddenly hit her.

Hearing a moan from the living room Heath said, “Let me check on Griff.  You all finish eating."  He got up and went to the young man.

Griff was awake and had sat up.  When he saw Heath, he said, "I'm tired of laying down, Doc, and I have to pee."

Heath laughed.  "Well, let's see what we can do about that then."

Dean heard the laugh.  "Excuse me," he told the others as he joined Griff and Heath in the living room.

"Your young man needs to go to the bathroom, Dean," Heath chuckled.  "Do you want to escort him, or shall I?"

James asked, "Or do you want me to just carry him for you?" He winked at Dean.

"I'll handle it, James," Dean said positively.

Katy put aside her breakfast and joined the men in the living room.  "Are you hungry, Griff?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am hungry, Katy," he answered as Dean pulled him to his feet.

"I'll bring your plate in here if you like," Katy offered, hesitating between the kitchen and living room.

"Let him try at the table," Heath decided knowing that Griff would know he was getting better.

"Ok, Heath." Katy smiled, turning back to the kitchen to ready a plate for Griff.  She deliberately put half portions on his plate just in case, and made him a cup of tea instead of coffee.

James went over to Heath, "Should I get our boy up so he can eat and we can get going?"

The doctor nodded over his older partner’s shoulder. "Too late," he said.

Jax walked into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.  "What's going on?  Why didn't someone wake me up?" he questioned yawning.

"We were about to and the only thing going on is breakfast," James said with a smile. He went over and ruffled Jax's hair and pulled him into a hug. "Good morning sleepy head."

"Good morning honey. Are you hungry?" Katy smiled at her son.

"Mornin'," the young man mumbled into James's chest and once James turned him loose he told his mother, "Mornin' Mom, breakfast sounds great."

She got up to get his and Griff's breakfasts out of the warmer and put them on the table. It felt good to have a houseful of people again. Gene had never allowed her to have friends over. He would find some way to embarrass her, and eventually her friends had just stopped coming by.

Griff came slowly into the kitchen.  Dean was right beside him, ready to catch him if needed.

James smiled at the young man. "Good to see you moving around under your own power Griff.  How are you feeling this morning?"

"I'm a little dizzy but I can focus today," he said answering the other man.

"Griff, I have tea made for you, Hon. I thought coffee might be too harsh for you right now," the little woman explained, gesturing him to the seat where his breakfast was waiting.  "If you're still hungry after you eat this I'll get you more, ok?"

"Thank you, ma’am," the young carpenter said then looking over at Heath he asked, “Can I go home today, Doc?"

Katy poured herself another cup of coffee and freshened the other cups on the table, leaning forward to give Griff a little motherly kiss on the forehead before putting the pot back on the stove and sitting down once again.

James looked over at Heath. "What do you think Doc?"

Heath sipped his coffee watching Griff eat.  "I don't see any reason you can't travel today, Griff," he said coming to a decision.  "We can stop anytime you need too, but it's only three hours and you'll probably sleep most of the way."

James nodded. "Yes, and I promised to drive slowly, not at my usual race car tactics." He grinned teasingly.

Jax looked at his mother.  She looked sad that they would be leaving.

Heath looked between Jax and Katy.  He could see the pain in her eyes and the sadness in his lover’s.  "Katy, we want to thank you for being a wonderful hostess.  And both James and I want to assure you that Jax will be back to visit."

Katy looked hopeful. She was worried that Jax might never want to see her again after this experience.

"And maybe you can come visit us," Jax offered, then wondered if that would be OK with his guys.

"You're welcome.  You're all welcome to come any time.  I'd love that," she replied, smiling hesitantly. "There's so much.... time to make up... so much to be said."

"Mom, what happen in the past is just that, in the past.  With Gene in jail that's truer than ever," Jax said.  "And as a wise man once told me, we can't have a tomorrow without a yesterday."

Katy smiled gratefully at her son who had grown up so much. She looked at him, pride in the man he'd become and love for the boy she'd had to unwillingly let go.

"Dad said it.  He also said, ‘history is what makes us who we are today, but we chose who we are tomorrow’."

"He was a smart man," she replied a little sadly, thinking about what she'd given up due to her own stubbornness. 

James said, "Jax is right.  Katy, you may come visit us anytime."

"Thank you again," she said to James.  Then she looked at Jax, "You just tell me when is good, ok? You know I'll be there in a shot.  Your father didn't call me Featherfoot for nothing," she laughed.

Griff just looked at his plate, knowing that he didn't have anyone to go home too.  That is until Dean's big hand squeezed his hand.  The young man raised his head and looked in the deep gray eyes that twinkled as Dean smiled.

After breakfast the men helped clean up and then got ready to go.  Katy hated for them to leave but knew she was just being selfish wishing to keep them and her son with her forever.  "Call me when you get back, OK?" she asked Jax as she gave him a final hug.

James said, "I'll be sure that he does Katy."

She laughed and replied, "I’m sure you will.  Thank you, James. Heath. For taking such good care of... my son."

James smiled. "You're welcome. He's just as precious to us as he is to you."

She stood on tiptoe and gave first James and then Heath a kiss on their cheeks.  "I know," she said softly.  She then gently hugged Griff and then Dean.

Jax hugged his mother one last time then dropping a kiss on her cheek turned and hopped in Dean's truck with Heath.

Katy watched with mixed feelings as the men drove off. Sad that they were leaving, but happy that her son had found a loving home with men who thought the world of her little boy.  Only when they were out of sight did she go back into her house to wait by the phone for the much-anticipated call from her son.  For the first time in years, Katy felt she had the right to call this man her son, and it felt good.