Sixty Eight |

I stared at Molly. Waiting for whatever words she'd attempt to feed me. Whatever excuses she had for Jax's actions, whichever words to justify the way he had hurt me. She said nothing, just staring back at me with so many emotions swirling in those ocean eyes. Then, she turned away from me, her face towards the distance fields where the happy farm dogs ran around. As a breeze past by, it played with her hair, the tip of a tattoo sat on her neck behind her hair.

I thought nothing of it, she looked young but it was possible she had gotten it done just before the end broke out. Instead, I turned my attention to the way she held her stomach. Her arms wrapping so carefully around her bulge.

"I would do anything for this baby," she whispered softly, "For my child."

I blinked at her words and I understood them.

"Dad," I whispered quietly, "W-What do we do?"

They had us surrounded with no escape. It was my fault, I had alerted the horde, I had lead us down a dead end even after Dad had ordered a different path. I was so stubborn, I wanted to prove I was an adult and I could make adult decisions.

I had killed us.

"How many bullets do you have?"

He was so calm, always so calm. My entire body shook, my fingers stumbling to check the Glock. My heart beat so loud in my ears I could barely hear his words. Hot tears had filled my eyes making it almost impossible to see.

"N-None," I cried, "I'm on empty."

He sighed, "Erin I told you to always keep one."

I didn't even correct him. They were four feet away now. So close, so dangerously close. We really wouldn't be getting out of this alive. There was no fucking way. Dad had me pushed against the stone wall, his body in front of me as a shield.

"W-What do we do?" I cried.

His head tilted slightly, and to my surprise he smiled. It wasn't a sorrowful one, nor an angry one. There was no defeat in his eyes, no rage nor panic. There was only love. A pure love wrapped in determination. It stole my breath away for a moment.

"You live," he whispered.

Fingers dug into his legs, teeth biting down into his flesh. He grunted, but paid them no mind. Instead, in a quick motion, he bent at the knees, his hands grabbing my ankles and in a strong pushing motion, he propelled my body up and over the wall.

"No! No, no, NO!" I was screaming as my body landed on the other side.

My hands balled in fists, I beat the wall. Those jittered moans and groans were just on the other side and I knew, I fucking knew they were tearing him apart. My knees gave out, sobs of heartbreak and sorrow filling the air.

"Erin," it was like a whisper in the wind, his voice, "We are so proud of you."

My sobs paused, my head lifting as tears fell freely.

"Now live."

A single bullet sounded through the air.

I swallowed back the lump in my throat, forcing the memory away. Anyone would do anything for their child. That's what a parent would do, but I didn't understand why she was telling me. Was it just to trigger all those memories I had so carefully buried? Maybe my reaction to Jax wasn't enough for her.

"So what?" I asked not caring how horrid I sounded.

Those blue orbs fluttered back to me.

Silence.

"Since I got pregnant, trying to live got harder and harder," she began, "I was part of a group. We'd travel around, trying to survive from day to day. Our numbers would grow thin then we'd gain a few. Then I got pregnant."

Molly paused, sighing softly, "And I got abandoned."

"What?" I gasped, my confusion clear.

She nodded sadly, "We all have our views on bringing up children in this world. My group thought otherwise, and no one wanted to lug around a woman who was becoming slower, who needed more food and more care. They thought I wouldn't hold my own so I was casted out. I was fine to die as long as I didn't die in front of them."

My fists curled, "Bastards."

"No, they were right. I couldn't hold my own," she whispered, "A month ago I saw the gleam of your fence and I thought it was the perfect haven. But I never made it, I-I ended up passing out just before getting here and waking up to a beautiful man. He was so kind and stern. I think I fell in love right then and there."

I held back from rolling my eyes.

"But he wasn't so easy," she chuckled, "At first he wouldn't even hold a conversation with me. Alana allowed me to stay with her until room in one of the townhouses could be arranged. I did everything I could to cross paths with the General."

"And let me guess," I couldn't help my bitter words, "He was always there to be your white knight. Always ready to catch you if you stumbled, and kiss your sorrow away?"

She smiled, "Not exactly. He spoke of you every time I saw him. I was jealous. The way his eyes lit up, and the way he smiled. But then something changed, suddenly he didn't talk about you and he didn't smile the same way."

I paused, confused and curious, "Why?"

"I-I don't know," she admitted, "I thought he got word you died or something."

It confused me greatly, what caused the sudden change in Jax? While I wanted to ignore him all together, I also wanted to know why he had suddenly ghosted the thought of me. Another breeze pushed past us and the door suddenly opened, we turned to see Mathew standing there with a toothy grin.

"Dinner's ready," he said, "Miwa you sit with me ok? Oh hi Molly. You can sit with Sophie. Hurry up or the soup will be cold."

"Matty," Noa's voice floated out, "Come sit an' give them space!"

"Ok, ok," Mathew replied with a cute frown.

I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry Mira," Molly said genuinely, "I-I didn't think through my actions and I went after you even though I knew he was taken. I'm not asking for you to forgive me, but please forgive Jax."

And my smile was gone.

I turned on my heels, my eyes narrowing, "I don't forgive Jax and I don't forgive you because I don't care enough to. I was expecting a story of innocence and one maybe that would make me kind of like you but all you've given me is a destructive story about how selfish you are."

Her eyes bulged with tears, "Selfish? It was love at first sight! I'm giving my baby a better future than the past we've had."

"Really?" I gasped, "That's what you think?"

Suddenly, those blue eyes narrowed, "You're not the woman Jax bragged about. You're not understanding or kind and patient at all. You're kind of a bitch. Fine, hate me but know how much you're hurting me and my baby and Jax."

"I've never hit a pregnant bitch," a voice suddenly said, "but I got no damn morals about it. Bet you fell in 'love at first sight' with you baby daddy too. Hell, I bet you think you love everyone that gives you a sense of security."

We turned. Standing there in baggy camo pants and a black tank top was Lisa. Her braids pinned back in a ponytail and those brown eyes lit with pure rage. It was hard to hold back the smirk that itched on my lips.

"Excuse me?" Molly gasped with wide, teary eyes.

Lisa stomped over, making the woman flinch back as she invaded Molly's personal space. There was a look of anger and determination on her face, one that I was kind of proud of as horrible as that was. I felt bad, Lisa was a bad bitch but she wasn't a liar.

"Down girl," I said quietly.

To my surprise, Lisa instantly backed off. Her chin in the air as her eyes stared at the pregnant woman. Molly looked back and forth between us, her face suddenly distorting with annoyance and anger.

"Now I see it's the company you keep," Molly spat, "I thought the blacks had all died down like the wild dogs they were."

Then, the bulging woman began walking away.

Both our jaws dropped.

Molly was racist??!

"I didn't see that coming," Lisa whispered to me, "At least she didn't say the N word."

I nodded, my eyes wide, "I know right? Fucking twist. Probably is my age, doesn't even know that word. Don't give the crazy woman any ideas, fuck."

"Wait until she finds out the doctor who will deliver her baby is black."

A giggle escaped my lips, "Or that Jax's best friend is."

Lisa smirked, "Flynn right? Damn that man is nice. Would swallow him for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Goddamn."

I shivered in disgust at the thought.

"Come on and meet the others," I said smiling, "There's a spot beside Sophie."

Lisa smirked, "See, this is why I really came looking for you. Free food."

We both laughed.

Of course.