#teller!reader

Joshua “J” Cody, had not lived a normal day since he was five years old. That’s only because it was about as far back as he could remember. His mother, Julia Cody, did her best to raise him away from the cursed Cody family so it was always just him and his mother. Julia only knew one life, no matter how far away she got the life always kept creeping its way back in.

When he needed to get away for a bit, he would go sit at this cafe on The Strand and just sit there at the counter to study. The owner was a super sweet person who made sure he was always fed and occasionally would bring him stuff.

“I was out shopping for this little girl here.” You told him one morning when you brought your baby with you to the shop. She roughly looked to be about one, with red curls, green eyes and a gummy smile. “And I picked stuff up for you! You can’t say no because I already bought them and if anything doesn’t fit just let me know.”

J never had some stranger just be nice to him like this.

“I don’t have any money for this.” J gently pushed the shopping bags closer to you.

“Nonsense, you’re a growing boy and it’s nothing major.” You shoved the bags back to him. “Plus little Chloe here says you can’t say no.”

“Bahh, Bahh, Bah….”

“See! She said no, drool and all.” J smiled when Chloe reached for him.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” He asked hesitantly.

“Kid if you ever need anything you come to me. I don’t care what it is. If it’s bugging you so much you can pay me back by focusing on your studies. It’s our job as adults to take care of the kids.”

“You don’t seem that much older than me.” J raised an eyebrow.

“Get back to studying. I was trying to sound cool.” You huffed as Chloe giggled in your arms.

J’s admiration for you grew over the next few years. You helped his mother out when you could though Julia was prideful and refused any help that was offered. There was always food in the fridge and clothes on his back. He wasn’t sure how to ever repay you for everything you’ve done for him, so he offered to watch Chloe anytime he could. You had pretty much adopted the boy.

You were very careful in how much the kids knew of your… other activities. Things with SAMCRO had been escalating over the years, so bad to the point you had to hire Anthony, a very respected lawyer in California. He was a godsend, as he didn’t ask personal questions just what he needed to know to cover your ass. He even helped buy properties legally and made sure your boys stayed away from prison. The Oceanside Charter, though still deemed the scary biker gang, had actually been more attentive to the community and because of the legal income that was coming in the illegal activities were dwindling. You had the best intentions for your little family, your business, and most importantly the children you took under your wing.

Three years was all it took for J’s life to completely derail, as he sat next to his deceased mother’s body on the couch in their tiny apartment. It was terrifying that the one person who he completely relied on was here one moment and then… just gone the next. J was numb when he called his grandmother, Janine, and informed her on the news of his mother’s passing.

“Pack up a bag baby. I’ll be there.”

Janine’s reaction to his mother’s death made J feel sick to his stomach. What mother sounded so disinterested in their own child’s death? When Janine finally came to get him, her face was so casual it made bile build up in his throat. Did his mother mean anything to her? J knew he had to suck it up and hold it in because where else could he go? He didn’t want to bug you. As much as he wanted to just forget everything, to just pick up the phone and call you to get him, J knew he couldn’t because this was a family matter. A family matter for a family that could care less about him.

When he finally made it to Janine’s house, almost all his uncles were there. Deran, Craig,and Baz did their best to make him feel comfortable though they weren’t sure how. J was essentially a stranger in his own family. Janine gave him Pope’s room in the meantime while he was still serving time. When J laid down, the hollow feeling in his chest grew. He missed his mom. He missed you, even little Chloe who now called him ‘Uncle JJ’.

He can do this. He was a big boy.

Being around his uncles always reminded him of why his mother did her best to keep him away. They were not good people. J was pretty sure Craig was made with blood, tissue, and drugs. Deran was moody and always away from the house. Baz wasn’t even his actual uncle but he smiled in his face while his action said something completely different. J finally met his last uncle, Pope, when he came into his room during a party.

“Who are you?” J pretty much jumped out of his skin and turned around to see a man standing in the corner of his room. ,

“I’m Jay. Julia’s son.”

Pope just stared at the boy. Right in front of him was the last piece of his twin sister she left behind. Since getting out of prison this man had a whole list of things to do. The first objectives were to come home, find you, see his baby for the first time, and find some way to win you back. Seeing his nephew was not on the list. In fact finding out his sister had overdosed herself had him spiraling. Was losing people the Cody way he had to get used to? Or was this just Pope’s punishment?

“Hey baby you doing ok- “ Janine froze in her steps. Seeing as her grandson took off from the party she came to check on him. What she didn’t anticipate was seeing her eldest son out of prison.

“Pope! Welcome back sweetheart.”

Pope looked at J with a somber look. “Thank you for ruining my surprise.” J sighed in relief the moment Janine took Pope with her to meet with everyone else. J really wanted to leave.

He finally snapped after a month of secrets, distrust looks from his uncles and the excessive hovering from Janine. J packed up his backpack with a spare outfit and his assignments, got on his bike and made his way to your house. Not without Pope noticing.

J finally made it to your home. His other home. Before he even had the chance to knock on the door, it swung open. You were so worried, he could see it in your eyes and body language.

“Come in J! This is your home too. Relax”. His heart never felt more full.

As soon as he stepped in, Chloe came barreling into his legs and you disappeared into the kitchen. From the mouth watering smell you were in the middle of cooking dinner. J looked down at the little girl that was attached to his legs, her curls were longer and she now had teeth, it made J sad on how much she grew.

“JayyyJayyy…Juice.” (It’s just JJ but Chloe stretches it out) J smiled and picked her up as she outstretched her arms.

“Yes, yes let’s get you juice.”

When J made his way to the kitchen, his heart just about dropped to his stomach seeing Lena at the table doing her homework. You were cooking dinner, attention on the browning meat while Lena asked her questions out loud and you did your best to answer. It finally snapped in his head.

“Do you know my family?” J was quick to notice how you stopped scrambling the meat. In fact you didn’t even move.

“Lena baby, why don’t you take Choe and put on your favorite cartoon! Dinner’s almost ready anyways and we’ll finish your homework after.”

Six year old Lena smiled, honestly happy to get away from the blasphemous worksheet, and made her way to J and Chloe.

“Hi Jayy.”

“Hi Lena.”

“Ena!” Chloe wiggled out of J’s arms and grabbed Lena’s hand as the older girl dragged her to the living room to make her watch her favorite show.

You lowered the temperature and sharply turned to J. “Yes I know your family. That little girl in there is your damn cousin.. Well both of them are. Your shitty grandmother left your mother to fend for herself and I didn’t know about you until I saw Julia.”

“You took care of me out of pity? Because I am related to Chloe?” J was beyond stressed.

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. “I met Deran when we were in high school. I had just moved here. I met your whole family. Your mom was literally the best human ever, just fell in love with the wrong person and by how everything is now Baz is still a shitty father. And no I did not take care of you out of pity. I took care of you because I love you. In a not creepy way, you’re just a kid who got dealt the wrong cards and it’s not your fault. You don’t have to bear the weight of the world alone and if I can make it easier than I am. I don’t want anything from you just to be happy and healthy. Isn’t that what family does?”

“Wait…. Baz is my dad?”

“You didn’t know? Fucking Janine is telling you anything. Yes Baz is your dad. I clearly remember Julia freaking out about you. How much do you not know? In fact, where have you been this whole time?”

“I called Smurff. I.. uh.. I didn’t want to involve you… or burden you.” J avoided your gaze. “I didn’t know about all this. Wait, who is Chloe’s dad? Is it Deran??”

You just stared at J like he grew another head. “J… I’m about to burst some bubbles right now. Deran is gay. Like having a secret boyfriend no one knows about gay. How none of you noticed is beyond me. That’s what you really took out of this conversation? Jesus J. Chloe’s dad is Andrew by the way.”

“Andr-….. POPE?”

J’s heart might give out at this point. First, the one person he actually looked up to turned out to be his aunt in.. relationship? Oh my god, were you married to Pope? Chloe is his cousin. You knew his mother, you took care of him despite not realizing you guys were related. Deran was your best friend apparently. That means Janine knew about you… Honestly J’s head was just spinning.

“Since we’re just spitting out the truth… I work for the Sons of Anarchy. I was moved here to oversee the Oceanside Charter, like my mom does in Charming. Oh I’m from Charming too by the way! All dirt and sand. Anyways, I am a hired gun and I’m trying to make this charter go legitimate. I have properties legally under my name, like the stripjoint and cafe. Those businesses are not used to launder money, they're actual income sources. Which will be expanding into the porn industry soon…. That’s a conversation for another time.”

J just stared at you. This was the real you. Not the flour and smiles he has seen these past two years. You were a business person. Calculated, cunning…

“Your grandmother literally will step on anyone to get what she wants. She’s doing it with your uncles. She did it with Julia. She’s going to do it to you, Chloe and Lena. That’s why I’m stepping in. You and Lena deserve a future where you’re happy and if it’s to get far, far away from here I’ll make that happen just do not get sucked into her web of lies J.”

He understood, he really did. Janine was not someone that he could trust. In fact, how she handled his mother’s death hurt more than he let on because no matter how much of a mess Julia was, she was still his mother. The same mother that did her best to keep him away from this family.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to eventually. When I had everything sorted out.” You opened the drawer that was near the stove, the random drawer with stuff and pulled out an envelope. “Here, this is a key to this house and there’s a bank card for the account I opened up for you. I had been putting money away for you, the second time you visited my cafe with books in your hand. I will be giving you a good life even if it’s the last thing I do. You, Chloe and Lena deserve more than this.”

J was just about in tears at this point. You loved him. It showed in everything you did for them. Lena and him weren’t even blood related to you and you were doing so much more than any of their actual family did. In the short time he had been at Janine’s house he saw how Baz and Catherine treated Lena, and to find out that Lena is his little sister just sat heavy on his heart because they were just two children dealt the wrong cards.

“Dinner is just about ready. You have a room here now, so please feel free to come here whenever. Put up your stuff and make sure all of you wash your hands.”

This dinner was the best dinner he’s ever had. Even if it was simple meat, potatoes, and corn, J was sitting at a table surrounded by people who actually loved him. Chloe was offering J her small spoon full of corn and Lena was rambling on about a show J had told her to watch. You were being attentive and made sure everyone was content, despite rarely touching your own food. This is where he felt at home.

While the inside of the house was filled with soft lights and chattering, Pope sat in the darkness of the night. The lights on his Jeep were off and he was parked directly across the street. Pope needed to know where the kid was going off too, after learning what the family did for a living J was not keen on being home as often. That alone worried Pope since J was essentially a stranger, his last memory being when he was only five years old. Pope’s heart just about gave out the moment the kid knocked on the door and you answered. Three years of yearning, three years of regretting, three years of praying and you were finally in a place he could reach. One of the front windows of the house gave him a perfect view of the dining room where his niece Lena was sitting next to his daughter in her high chair and you were smiling as you did your rounds making sure all the kids were eating.

Pope wanted to be there. He wanted to sit at that table, to wrap his arms around you while the children's laughter and chattering filled the room. Help put the kids to bed and even help J with whatever he needed. You made a home without him and that was no one’s fault but his own. Pope stopped to see Catherine a few days after he was released from prison. Seeing the unhappy woman now literally pulled the veil off his eyes because Catherine Belen did not like this life. She did not like his brothers and she for sure did not like Janine Cody, which Pope couldn’t fault because he understood. Catherine never wanted him and he was okay with that because all Pope wanted was you.

(This was a little after finding out about Catherine and Pope. Just to clear a slight confusion about the timeframe since it’s going back and forth.)

You felt like you were drowning. The world around you went silent as the raging thoughts in your head began to consume you. Pope and Catherine… God you felt stupid. There was always a part of you that KNEW he was always going to have feelings for his childhood friend, you KNEW and still tried to win his heart but in the end it was like you were the only one who couldn’t see the bigger picture. To make matters worse this dumb broad still looked you dead in the eye every fucking day to ask to take care of her child. Of course you’d do anything for Lena. You don’t fault children for their parent’s bad decisions. As much as you loved that little girl you couldn’t be here right now. You needed to leave. Catherine was walking a very thin line with you and if you had to see her one more time, there’s no telling what you would do to her.

You called your assistant at the cafe and your assistant at Red Studio to cover you until you come back from your extended personal time off. You gave Deran the keys to your house, told him to make himself at home until you came back. You just wanted to go home. As much as you loved Deran, the thought of being around any Cody or Blackwell at the moment made a knot in your stomach. You wanted your big brother, your father figure, Juice and hell even Tig at this point. With no notice to anyone you just packed your bag in the middle of the night, took a few thousand from your home safe, grabbed the keys to your truck and took off. Your thoughts were running wild and you hated it. We’ll just blame the baby.

The first stop you made was at the Nomad Charter Clubhouse. It was about two in the morning when you were knocking on the door to the Nomad’s clubhouse. Rane Quinn was exhausted, with the new blood coming in and the increase of runs, it was taking a toll on the man. In the past few days, a good night’s sleep was rare to come by. Rane sat at his desk within the clubhouse and sighed within his hands. God he was tired. The knocking at the door echoed through the silent clubhouse. Rane looked at the digital clock at his desk and 2:05 AM was plastered in the bold red numbers.

“Who is here at this time?” Rane grumbled as he made his way to the front. When he got closer to the wide doors the knocks softened. “Who’s there?”

“Uh.. It’s me, Uncle Rane.” The elder man's eyes widened and quickly pulled open the doors. “(Y/N) what are you doing here so late? Are you by yourself?”

Rane took notice of his god daughter’s attire. You were in an oversized black hoodie and fluffy purple pants. He was quick to notice your puffy eyes and pouty lips. You looked as bad as he did. “Come in. I’ll get you a beer, maybe put on a show. You still like that cartoon with the blue cat?”

On came the waterworks. “Rane I’m fucking old already. I haven’t watched cartoons in ages, it’s not like I have the damn time anyways! If the club doesn’t need me, my jobs require my attention 24/7 cause god forbid anyone actually reads instructions for anything!” Quinn had to sit down for this emotional outburst you were having. You were literally walking back and forth talking animatedly with your hands. He remembers little seven year old you doing the same thing, when you used to follow him around asking questions about anything and everything in the same manner you were now. He was glad some things never changed.

“AND Don’t get me started on alcohol consumption because for the next nine months I can’t have a sip. Like don’t get me wrong, I’m happy about my little bean but I can’t drink or eat the things I like anymore! I threw up a fucking cookie.. A COOKIE QUINN! I own a cafe and can’t eat my own treats.” And now you were crying in your hands.

Wait…. “You’re pregnant?"

Oh god.. His godchild was having a baby… “Does Gemma know?”

“You’re literally the first stop on the way to Charming. Not even Happy knows. Surprise! You’re going to be a grandpa.”

His godchild was having a baby.. AND he was the first to know. Gemma is going to murder him. Make it look like an accident and make sure she’s smiling in her mugshot. Might even burn down the clubhouse, rage war against the charters… all because he was the first to know that the newest grandchild was coming before her.

You let out a genuine laugh, like ribs aching hard to catch your breath laugh because here was a six foot something grown man scared of your mother. No matter how much you were hurting, your family always found some way to make you feel better. “You’re going to get me killed, Kid.” Rane laughed while slowly pulling you in for a hug. “I won’t pry on why you’re here at two in the morning crying your eyes out. Just know when everything comes out, I’ll help hide the body of whoever dared to make my baby cry.”

You haven’t been in Rane’s arms in a very long time but when you were it always felt like home. The smell of teakwood and leather filled your senses and it calmed every frazzled nerve you had. You were never this close to Clay Morrow, there was always something about that man that never sat right with you. Especially in how quick he was to move in on your mom when your father died, move into their home soon after he was buried and sit in the same seat your father did. While Jax had Clay to lean on, you had your own support, like Happy and this wonderful man.

“Alright kid, you just aged me ten more years and made me a grandpa all in one night. My old heart can’t take anymore excitement. Maybe in the morning, I can’t wait to see Happy flip his shit when he finds out. Lu and Jinx will also be here in the morning.”

Rane heard your soft snores before realizing how still you were. Your ability to sleep anywhere was still a feat he couldn’t get used to. Rane scooped you up and took you to an extra room that was deep cleaned in the clubhouse. Maybe it was just having you home but Rane Quinn finally felt relaxed enough to lay down and get some sleep.

Happy Lowman can clearly remember the day Rane Quinn dragged his newly patched ass all the way to Charming, California just to meet the newest addition to SAMCRO. This little pink 6lbs baby that was wrapped in a pink blanket was plopped into his arms by none other than the President and father himself, John Teller. Seeing The President introduce his daughter with the biggest smile on his face would have anyone thinking he won the lottery or something. But John felt like he did because after two boys he finally had a little girl. John Teller stared at the scene before him, Rane Quinn cooing over his newborn that was nestled in the arms of a man that looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here.

“Rane, Happy.. Meet your goddaughter” (John was not about to pick a godmother for you. Gemma would just about kill him for letting another woman raise you.)

That felt ages ago.

Now twenty something years later, here he was with that same child telling him she was having her own child. What… The….. Fuck….

“Surpriseeee… Grandpa Happy.” You said softly, uncomfortable with the glare your father figure was giving you.

Happy felt like he was going to throw up.

Telling Happy and Rane about the pregnancy seemed a lot simpler than telling your mom and brother. Gemma Teller was ready to start a whole charter war and possibly burn down the Nomad Clubhouse for not being the first to know the good news. In fact you were pretty sure Rane got a whole earful this morning about that. If there’s one thing about Gemma that people knew, it’s that she took pride in being a mother. Jax, Thomas, and you were everything she could’ve ever asked, but knowing she was going to be a grandma for the first time had her on cloud nine. Her baby is having a baby, her first grandchild! Gemma was already prepping plans on handling Janine Cody, because there was no future in which that woman was going to be called grandma before her.

“That tart can go to hell.. I’m this baby’s grandma.”

Jax was ecstatic. Not only was he going to be an uncle for the first time but his little sister was about to become a mom for the first time.

“I am so happy for you.” Jax whispered in your hair, while he had you in a hug. “Baby Teller is going to have the best mom ever!”

What you didn't know was that Jax already knew about Pope before you even showed up in Charming. Rane was quick to inform him the moment he knew the details. Jax knew whatever happened between the two of you was pretty bad, but you weren’t bruised, broken or injured so nothing physical happened and that took the weight of worry off his shoulders. Because he knew you so well, Jax knew he wasn’t going to get the answers to his questions by asking you. So he took extra measures to make sure you weren’t hiding anything from him. His informant, Cal, was his eyes and ears in Folsom State Prison and updated him on everything with Pope. You would call him crazy for worrying but at the end of the day he was still a big brother worrying about his baby sister.

Every part of your being was aching to stay in Charming, even if it was for a bit longer. You enjoyed Gemma pampering you and the food runs with Tig and Juice. Everyone was pretty sure Tig picked up on your cravings.

“What? Why is everyone looking at me?... Pickles and peanut butter actually taste good together.”

Even the ever stoic Happy was fretting over you in little ways. No you were not allowed to pick up big things. Put those grocery bags down, get the croweaters to do this. Have you eaten? No? Here’s a burger you better eat everything. Even your first sonogram was kept nicely folded in his wallet. As much as you wanted to settle at home once more you needed to go back to Oceanside. The Charter needed you back to help manage the runs and events coming up, your assistant was in talks about expanding Deja Brew, and there was going to be a hiring opening for new girls for Red Studio. The club was increasing its revenue meaning more opportunities were arising.

The club was thankful for your contribution. With the revenue coming in, weapons dealing came to a minimum and income was put to another use. In times like this you were glad you could never be patched with SAMCRO, with the way Clay was leading the club things were about to go astray real quick. The elders of the club were also brainwashed to believe that bloodshed and fear was the MCs way, Jax on the other hand believed they could be more and you believed it too. Until Jax decides to pave his way it’s best if you stayed away from club business. Which meant you need to start making moves away from the club.

Deran was the first person that received the news that you were home and surprisingly it came in the form of a text message.

(Y/N) is home. Take care of her. - Jax (Sent at 8:02 am)

Deran has stayed at Janine’s the night before just to recuperate from the party that Craig had thrown. He was still in bed when the message came in and in a blink of an eye he threw on a shirt, grabbed his keys and hightailed it to your condo. You had been gone for about a month and a half! Your phone was off. Jax never answered his calls. In the case you were upset with him, he didn’t want to take the trip to Charming just to have the door slammed in his face. So he just waited for you to come back. Deran made it to your condo in record time.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling and calling! Did you block me? Are you hurt? What happen-……”

“I’m pregnant. Your brother slept with Catherine and hid it from me for years! I was trying to be a good person, Deran.. I really was. I knew of Pope’s feelings towards her, I get it that’s on me but for them to do this behind my back and keep it from me. Catherine literally asks me to watch Lena every other weekend! I am not going to be used like this Deran. Pope wants to be chasing a girl who’s making her rounds with the brothers that’s on him! And I swear to god if she shows her face in front of me again.. pregnant or not she’s getting what she deserves.”

A lopsided, almost childish smile played on Deran’s lips, hinting at a lack of seriousness. “You’re pregnant. I’m going to be an uncle.”

“Again Der, again! Lena is your niece too.”

”You know what I mean.”

“Yeah.. kinda scared to be honest.”

”You should be. What if they come out looking like Pope? That’s going to be one ugly baby.” Deran teased.

“Oh shut up.”

Over the next few months things started falling into place again. Business had been doing good, the expansion to the cafe was in its infant stages. You even found out that your baby was a girl. You were so excited, Deran on the other hand had a few things to say. “Another one? Can’t one of you have boys already?”

Everything was going smoothly. Lu and Jinx, finally made their move to Oceanside to be closer to you. Agreeing to live nearby the condo, close enough to go in minutes if you called but far enough so Jinx doesn’t curse you. (Your words not mine… lol) You were never going to forgive him for losing your car. The car wasn’t even stolen! So if you’re ever in Charming and see a random black car with stickers on the back bumper it’s yours and has been missing for the past ten years. It’s a super power, you’re sure of it.

The day finally came when Catherine finally grew the balls to face you. It was a Saturday afternoon, roughly around one pm, when she came strolling in Deja Brew with Lena right on her tail. You could tell she was hesitant to be here. Her eyes kept flickering to you and the door. Your lips curled into a slow, cruel smile, the corners of your eyes barely crinkling as you watched Catherine squirm where she stood. She should count her blessings that the counter separated her from you.

“I’m sorry..”

“Daniella, why don’t you let Lena decorate her own cupcake.” Your assistant eyed the both of you before turning to Lena. “Hey baby, want to help me decorate a cupcake so your mommy and auntie can talk?”

“YES!” Lena went around the counter and held Daniella’s hand. When the two were out of sight, you turned back to Catherine with a scowl on your face.

“You’re pregnant? Congratul-….”

“What are you doing here Catherine?”

“Pope wrote me a letter saying he told you what happened between us.” Of all the things that could’ve come out of her mouth. Of course he would. Keep it cool, don’t lose composure. You’re in public. Deep breaths. “I came to apologize.”

“You know Catherine… I don’t like you. Truth be told I never did. You glamorized this life so much because it gave you everything you ever wanted but then you’re quick to turn around and complain that you’re stuck in it. You weren’t happy with Baz, so you had to stick your pretty nails in the next best option. Was it worth it Cat? Feel better about yourself? You always strung Pope along until it was convenient for you huh?” You were furious, you were hurt and honestly you did not give two shits that she was crying before you. “If you were in my shoes wouldn’t you do the same? What if I had slept with Baz and kept it from you. You think you would be as calm as I am?”

Catherine hadn’t said one word but you could see she was biting her lips while she cried. “No you wouldn’t be. The difference between me and you Catherine Belen is that I grew up in this life. I live, I die, I kill for my family. I don’t need anyone associated with a Cody name to help me raise my kid. So you can write Pope back and tell him everything I said too since you two are still so buddy, buddy with each other. Hope he fulfills every fucking fantasy you have.”

Lena came bubbling back to the front of the shop with her poorly decorated cupcake, she was so proud of it too. “Look Titi!”

“How cute is that! Look at you Lena, you’re going to help me with the cupcakes when you get older? I’m sure people are going to love them.”

“Yes! Yes. Baby help too?” Your heart swelled.

“Yes. Baby will be here to decorate with you.” You looked at Catherine wiping her tears with a strained smile on her face so Lena wouldn’t worry. “If you still need help watching her I will, better my care than the devil herself. I still hate you but it’s not Lena’s fault.” You whispered the last part loud enough for only Catherine to hear.

Four months came and gone faster than you knew. You were now officially a week over your due date. It hurt to move, your feet were swollen, the baby’s nursery wasn’t set up yet, and no one was here with you. Just as you anticipated, Clay had the club in a rough patch right now. Opie was arrested on a job gone wrong… you couldn’t remember the precise details from the call earlier. You understood where everyone’s focus was at the moment, Donna was going to need all the help she could get.

No one ever told you how lonely this journey would be. You bought a new home closer to the beach, a beautiful three bedroom two bath but it had yet to feel like an actual home. The walls weren’t painted the color you wanted, you haven’t been able to pick the frames you want to hang pictures up in, almost all your furniture was still in wrapping, and you’re pretty sure you need to go grocery shopping too. Everything felt overwhelming. Nothing was perfect. In the silence of your own home you were able to safely swim in your own thoughts and most of the time they almost always ventured to Pope. The scenario of him shirtless sitting in the rocker holding your baby girl on his chest, soothing her little whimpers by talking about facts on something he was interested in. He wasn’t much of a singer but he’d do anything for his baby, even if that meant him singing the worst rendition of twinkle, twinkle little star. If someone were to ask you if you were okay you always said yes that you got this in the bag, but if someone asked you on a deeper level you would say you missed Pope. You would say you wanted your family together and you wanted Pope to be here for Chloe and you.

Call you emotional but this has been so hard. Especially seeing other people with their own families. You just wanted yours, the one you always dreamed of. Even Catherine, who ruined yours, was in her happy period with Baz and Lena. You hated it, you hated her, you hated all of this. You were so deep in your emotional turmoil that you ignored the uncomfortable pull in your abdomen. That was until the pain increased and it became hard to ignore. Of course… it would be now your baby decides to come.

“Trying to cheer up mom already huh babes. Alright let’s head to the doctor already. I can’t wait to see you.” You whispered to your rounded belly.

At exactly eight that same evening, Chloe Teller-Cody was born 6lbs 8 oz with a head full of short curls and eyes as green as her fathers. She was literally the most beautiful human being ever. Tears pooled in your eyes, despite being without your mother, your brother, and especially Pope… you were so happy. Chloe’s whimpers softened the moment the nurses placed her on your bare chest.

All the bustling around you went deaf to your ears. Looking at the little human being that was half of you and half Pope, made every other thing in life feel so insignificant. Your views on life, your priorities, your vision, your future all changed in a blink of an eye. Having Chloe here made you reevaluate your choices moving forward from here on out. Jax’s dreams were no longer yours, in hindsight you probably never really thought about your own future. You were the club’s tradesman, their hit man, their source of income, but where does it leave you in the end? Here….alone.

No you couldn’t do this, you can’t continue to play this game anymore. You had a life to live. As you looked down at Chloe, you realized you had someone else to live for too.

Jax Teller was not in the mood.

He was tired, stressed and ready for a nap, but that was not in his cards at the moment. Jax was doing his rounds around California, his first stop was visiting Opie in San Joaquin County Correctional Facility. He needed to ensure that he was okay before leaving to see you. After leaving that facility, a few hours later he was in yet another prison to visit Pope. This was for sure his last stop before heading to you. The buzzing noise of the metal doors opening broke Jax’s train of thought. While the inmates started piling in the visiting room, his blue eyes locked on to the very person he was here to see.

“You look like shit.”

“So do you.” A man of a few words, Jax sighed.

Blue met Green and the silence grew more heavy. “How is she?”

“Has her hands full.” Jax pulled out pictures from his front pocket before sliding them across the table. “Congratluations. She just about cloned you.”

Pope couldn’t breathe. His hands shakingly picked up the photos and a mix of emotions were hitting him all at once that he couldn’t put it in words. You had a baby. You had HIS baby. How did something that beautiful come from him? One photo was of the sonogram, the next photo was of you holding her in your arms right after birth with the biggest smile plastered on your face, the next photo was a close up of his daughter sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed, the standard pink hospital hat and a purple onesie that said “Hi daddy.”

“(N/N) named her Chloe Teller-Cody. I think she knew I would stop by to visit you at some point, if you couldn’t tell from the onesie.”

“She didn’t tell me.”

“I don’t know man… she tried to tell you before, I guess that’s when you two had your fall out.”

Ah that moment… that horrible moment months ago. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt you, let alone lose you but the shame and guilt were eating him alive. Pope didn’t deserve you. Everything he’s done in life never warranted him a happy ending and it was something he came to terms with. That was until you. Being around you felt like two stories blending into one.

(Y/N) Teller was everything the teenage Pope had ever prayed for, his faith even solidified itself after meeting you for the first time. He knew… He absolutely knew in the depths of his heart you were created just for him.* You stole his heart, integrated yourself in every fiber of his being and now gave him a little thing he never knew he needed. You were his family.. the mother of his child, the love of his life, his future. His chest felt like it was going to collapse in itself knowing you were out there thinking he didn’t love you.

“Alright brother.. I got to head out. (Y/N) and Chloe are waiting for me to go build a crib and from the phone call I got earlier Deran’s having trouble putting furniture together. Keep the pictures.”

All Pope could do was painfully nod as he watched his brother in law leave the visiting area.

(Next)

A/N: Y’all I saw TikTok edits of Pope deserving more in life and that literally got me in TEARS. Like if I just went through a whole breakup crying because IT’S TRUE. This man just wanted someone to love him! His own mother used him, Catherine I firmly believed loved the attention he gave her, and any other women he met couldn’t understand him. All he did was for the family. I literally had to go back and change a few things because as much wrong he did, he’s still learning. He’s never had someone actually love him for him. Going to have to tag this piece Angst with a happy ending cause god dang it Pope is going to have one! Okay rant over lol