Everything Has Changed

Zoey Jane

Well I want you to notice
To notice when I'm not around
And I know that your eyes see straight through me
And speak to me without a sound

I want to hold you
Protect you from all of the things I've already endured
I want to show you
Show you all the things that this life has in store for you
I'll always love you
The way that a father should love his daughter

Four O'clock comes and goes and Jax finds himself pacing the kitchen of his house calling Tara's cell for the 5th time. Again it goes to voicemail. "You said 4:00." Is all he says and hangs up. Its short, yet he can't let himself say anymore. He needs to try and keep it cool, always cool. That's what his attorney had told him.

He'd already called the moment he'd gotten home to tell him about Charlie.

"So she's kept your daughter from you for all these year. That's not going to look good to a judge."

"She didn't exactly keep her from me..."

Arthur cuts him off, "Did you know about her? "

"Well No, but..."

"Then she purposely kept your daughter from you and put herself in a relationship with a man still involved in criminal activity. Make sure you keep it all civil. No disagreements. Nothing she can pull out to use against you in court." Jax had decided against telling him about pulling a gun on the couple. "Jackson, I've no doubt I'll have your children in your care by the end of the week. I'll call you when I know more."

The litigator hung up before Jax could get in another word. Jax pinches the bridge between his eyes and nose. This complicated situation keeps getting more intricate. He's about to call her again when he hears a car door close. A knock at the door happens before he can look out the window. Opening the door he looks out at nothing, until he looks down. Thomas is standing there staring up at him holding up a picture he's drawn.

"It you daddy!" He exclaims and Jax thinks his heart might burst with joy.

He kneels down to Thomas's level and takes the picture. "Its awesome buddy. I love it." He says as his youngest son hugs him. As he takes Thomas in his arms and stand up Tara walks up to the door, Abel slightly behind her.

"I'm sorry I'm late." She says.

He moves aside to let them all in. However it's glaringly obvious that someone is missing. He looks at Tara who nods her head and silently mouths the word "later."

Abel looks around the kitchen. "Who lives here?" He says to no one in particular.

"I do son." Jax says.

Tara is amazed at the reverence in his voice. It has always gotten to her, the way a man so prone to violence and hardness can be so soft and sweet when it come to his children.

Abel looks around a little bit longer and then says, "No, before you? I've been here before."

Tara and Jax exchange knowing looks. "You're right" he says as he puts down Thomas and walks over to a so grown up Abel. "You have. You're grandma, my mom use to live here."

Abel glances down at the scars on his forearm and walks back behind Tara. Tara, sensing Jax's disappointment says, "Can I use your bathroom?"

She excuses herself to leave the boys alone with Jax, but instead of using the restroom she goes into one of the other back bedrooms to make a call.

"Chibs." The man on the other end answers.

"We're here." She says. "Thomas is thrilled but Abel is still a little reserved."