October 23rd

Jax

In Bella's backyard, Happy put the finishing touches on her tattoo.

She hadn't wanted a full crow, instead, it was two crow feathers on the side of her foot, hanging off what looks like a leather cord wrapped around her ankle.

"I love the design." Donna says sitting down next to Bella.

"Leah made it." Bella says with a smirk looking over at the pool where Leah and Destiny are swimming with the kids.

"It's not a crow." ma states from where she is standing next to Clay. She has a smile on her face, so I know that she likes.

"It's crow feathers, ma. I like it." I tell her taking a drag off my smoke. "It's unique, just like my old lady."

"Damn straight." Bella says with a smirk.

October 29th

Bella

I place a couple of creepy tacos on plates for Kenny and Ellie while they finish sorting through their candy in the living room.

"We're going to head out." Leah says as she holds out her hand for Destiny to help her up from the floor, where Destiny had added the candy she had gotten during trick or treating.

"Have fun." Donna says putting on a movie for the kids to watch. She had already changed out of her costume while I had been making supper.

I place the kids' plates on the coffee table behind them. They had already drunk most of their black lemonade.

Scratching at the back door lets me know that Soluna was ready to come back in. She rushes by me and curls into a ball on the couch. I wasn't going to try taking off the harness, she had growled at Donna earlier when she had tried. I would wait until Jax got home so he could hold her while I take it off.

"Momma, why did you change?" Ellie asks looking up at Donna with a slight frown.

"Momma couldn't breathe baby girl." she says with a sigh.

"Hungry?" I ask her holding out a plate and glass of lemonade.

Donna nods taking both and sitting down on the opposite couch.

Instead of making myself a plate, I head to the bedroom to put on something comfortable. I grab a pair of yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt that said 'Mama Bear' across it.

I laugh softly when a pair of arms wrap around me once I finish changing.

"Have fun?" Jax asks before kissing the side of my neck.

"Yeah...you should have joined us." I say leaning back into him.

He just laughs as I turn to face him.

"You hungry?" I ask.

"Always." he says with a smirk. I move out of his arms when he tries to walk me to the bed and lead him back to the living room. Opie is sitting next to Donna, watching the movie with the kids.

"Want a plate?" I ask.

Opie nods. Jax follows me into the kitchen where I take his and Opie plates out of the microwave.

Jax shakes his head laughing as I pour the two of them a glass of lemonade.

"Have you eaten?" Jax asks taking his plate from me.

"About to make my plate." I tell him.

It only takes a few moments before we are sitting on the other couch, watching the movie with the kids as well.

November 7th

The sound of whining wakes me.

I pull myself out of Jax's arms when Soluna gives a soft bark.

"We need a damn doggie door." Jax mutters as I grab a shirt off the floor. I had just reached the bedroom door when Abel starts crying over the monitor.

"I got 'im." Jax mutters getting out of the bed.

He picks up a pair of sweatpants off the floor to throw on. I leave the bedroom, Soluna right behind me. In the kitchen, I open the backdoor to let Soluna out.

Watching out the window, I start a pot of coffee and start getting things together for Abel's bottle.

"He's dry now." Jax says holding Abel as the two of them come into the kitchen.

"Bottle's almost ready." I tell him adding a few scoops of cereal to the formula.

He places Abel in his bouncy seat. Noticing Soluna at the door, he lets her in, leaving the door open and for a moment I can smell the scent of rain in the air.

I hand the bottle to Jax just as the phone starts ringing.

"Hello?" I say picking it, a little confused since I don't recognize the number.

"Bella? It's Sue."

"Hey, what's going on?" I ask grabbing two mugs of the cupboard.

"I was wondering if you had plans to come back to Forks for the holiday."

"I was debating about it. Still, need to convince a certain someone to come with me." I say glancing at Jax out of the corner of my eye.

Sue laughs softly, "I know that Leah was planning on coming with Destiny. I wanted to extend an invitation to you and Jax plus your dad and his family."

My mouth drops open in slight shock.

"What's up?" Jax asks softly.

"Sue...I don't know what to say…"

"I know that Charlie would love to see you and meet the men in your life. But I know this is your first Thanksgiving with your dad and brother. I thought this way it was two birds one stone. I already invited Charlie over, so even if you can't come he won't be alone."

"I'll need to check with Gemma...this is Abel's first Thanksgiving."

"Oh...I didn't think about that. It's just her and her husband, right?"

"Yeah.." I tell her confused.

"You know..it's been a long time since I've had a full table for the holidays. Why don't you extend the invitation to them as well."

"Sue. That's a lot of people." I say honestly.

"I miss cooking for a large number of people. Charlie and Seth will eat anything that I put on the table. It will be nice to have a full house."

"I'll talk to everyone and get back to you. Sue...thank you."

"Family is important to me, Bella. You helped my daughter when you didn't have too. You brought her back to the way she used to be."

"That was Destiny."

"Who she never would have met if not for you. I'll talk to you soon."

"What's up?" Jax asks once I hang up.

"How would you feel about going to Forks for Thanksgiving?" I ask hopefully.

"Babe...I think ma would kill me and I know that Piney really wants to spend the holiday with both his kids." Jax states.

"I know, that's why Sue just invited all of us." I tell him.

"What?" he asks confused.

"You, me and Abel. Gemma and Clay. Piney. Opie, Donna, and the kids. She invited all of us to her place for Thanksgiving. It's Thanksgiving to us..it's kind of a family dinner to her, Leah and Seth." I tell him remembering last year that Charlie and I had Thanksgiving, just the two of us before heading up to La Push for a bonfire filled with old stories of the tribe.

"I don't know babe." Jax says frowning.

"Just think about." I ask.

Chibs

November 8th

I move so that I am standing behind Piney and Opie. The two of them are watching Bella and Jax for some reason.

"What's goin' on?" I ask.

Bella is clearly annoyed and Jax is just shaking his head.

"Bella's been trying to convince Jax to come with us to Forks for Thanksgiving." Piney says with a smirk.

"Huh?" I ask confused.

"Charlie's girlfriend invited us to come up for Thanksgiving. Pop, Donna, the kids and I are planning on following Bella, Leah, and Destiny up. Jax, Abel, Gemma, and Clay are also invited." Opie tells me.

"The kid doesn't think the four of them should come." Piney states.

I just shake my head. Bella stands up, it's clear she's gone from annoyed to pissed.

"What's going on here?" Clay yells as he and Tig come into the clubhouse.

"Ask your stubborn son." Bella states moving to walk past everyone to leave.

"Hold on beautiful." I say grabbing her around the waist to keep her from leaving.

"Bella?" Clay asks looking at her clearly lost.

"It's nothing." Jax says quickly.

"Seriously...nothing?! Sue has invited all of us for Thanksgiving and you haven't even bothered to tell Gemma about it!" Bella yells at him.

Clay just laughs, shaking his head.

Jax rubs the back of his neck, sheepishly.

"Dammit, kid..are you really that nervous about meeting her other old man?" Clay asks.

"What?" Bella asks confused.

Jax rubs a hand down his face.

"You're nervous about meeting Charlie? Why?" she asks.

"Bella, he's the Chief of Police. You really think he wants his baby girl with me, a guy with a record, divorced with a kid." Jax states.

She laughs softly.

"What's funny?" Tig asks.

"Charlie doesn't care about your record. Hell, he had a record before he joined the academy. Being divorced, he's divorced as well with a kid. He wants to meet Abel so bad, he's excited about being a grandpa. Getting to know you, Piney and Opie...I talked to him about Sue's invitation. He asks for all of you to come as well." she says softly looking over at Jax, Piney, Opie, and Clay.

"Me and Gemma as well…" Clay asks a little surprised.

"Yeah, he even offered to pay for rooms at the motel since there isn't a lot of room at the house."

"We've been invited for Thanksgiving." Gemma says entering the Clubhouse.

"Shit." Jax mutters under his breath.

"And the week after, Charlie figured it would be good for us to get away from everything for a little while." Bella says with a shrug.

"Well..looks like you and the others are fending for yourselves, I'll be in Forks." Gemma states to Tig and me.

"Let Charlie and Sue know that all of us will be there." Jax says after a few moments of Gemma staring at him.

Bella just smiles at Gemma before launching herself at Jax.

"Thank you." I hear her whisper to him.

Nov 16th

Leah

I pull onto the lot and park next to Bella's jeep. Bella is kneeling on the ground in front of some of the guys taking a photo.

"Looks like everyone is here." Destiny says nodding to Donna as she gets out of the car.

"So, are you riding with someone or following us?" Kenny asks coming up to me as Destiny get close to Donna's car.

"How is everyone riding?" I ask.

"Pop is driving with Donna and the kids. Clay, Jax and I are riding our bikes. Bella is riding with Gemma and Abel in her jeep." Opie says coming up behind me.

"It would probably be better if we follow you guys. Destiny and I aren't staying as long as Bella, Jax, Gemma, and Clay." I tell them.

"Neither are we. I would love to stay longer but school." Donna says motioning to Ellie and Kenny.

I nod in understanding.

I walk over to the jeep where Bella and Gemma are putting stuff away.

"Where's Abel?" I ask not seeing him or his carrier.

Bella nods inside the jeep.

Abel is smiling around a binky up at everything from his car seat. Soluna is curled up next to the carrier.

"You following or riding with us?" Bella asks.

"Following, at least until Forks. Gonna head right to the house." I tell her.

"We ready?!" Clay calls out.

Piney, Donna and the kids are in their car. Jax, Clay, and Opie are on their bikes.

Destiny is sitting in our car waiting for me.

"Try to stay close!" Gemma calls out with a laugh as she and Bella get into the jeep.

I nod and get into the car.

"Ready?" I ask Destiny.

"As I'll ever be." she says with a small smile.

"Pop! Stay in contact!" Bella yells to Piney showing her phone.

Nov 18th

Jax

I pull to stop next to Clay and Opie. Ma had pulled into the driveway and Piney stopped behind her. I watched as Leah drove past us, honking her horn with a wave and smile.

I take a deep breath and get off my bike, moving to take Abel out of the jeep. Soluna instantly jumps out the moment the door is opened.

"Charlie is running a little behind but the house is unlocked." Bella says putting her phone into her back pocket as she gets out of the jeep.

"He keeps the doors unlocked?" Clay asks as he starts unloading out mine, Bella and Abel's stuff out of the jeep.

"No one is dumb enough to rob the Chief." Bella states with a smirk. "He called ahead to the motel and they have the keys to your rooms waiting at the main desk. It's the one we passed about three miles back."

Opie nods. "We'll head there check-in and come back."

"Hey old man..get our key too." Clay asks.

"No problem." Piney states. "Be back soon."

Taking Abel out of his car seat, I follow Bella inside the house.

"Where's your stuff going?" Clay asks.

"Upstairs first door on the right." Bella tells him.

"Nice place." ma says closing the front door behind us.

"Where's Soluna?" I ask not seeing her.

"Outback." Bella tells me. "I left the door open so she could come back in when she's ready."

I watch as she lays a blanket on the floor, throwing a few of Abel's toys onto the floor.

Ma takes Abel out of my arms and places him on the floor. Instantly he starts getting excited about being on his stomach.

"He went shopping. The fridge is full of food and Vitamin-R." Bella says coming out of the kitchen with two beer bottles, which she hands me and Clay.

"Vitamin-R?" Clay asks looking at the drink as he and ma sit down on the couch.

"Just try it." ma says slapping his thigh.

I lean against the wall, taking a drag off the drink. "Not bad."

Bella smiles sitting on the floor as Soluna makes her way inside.

Hearing the door behind me, it's everything in me not to go for my gun or knife.

"I see you got in okay." Charlie says as he enters. I watch as he takes out his gun and locks it in a safe near a recliner.

"Yeah." Bella says standing and hugging Charlie.

"Jackson. It's good to finally meet you." Charlie says holding out his hand to me.

"Jax." I say shaking his hand. "This is my mom, Gemma, and step-dad, Clay." I say turning him to ma and Clay.

"Glad you guys could make it." Charlie says as he shakes both of their hands.

"Pop went with Opie, Donna, and the kids to check-in. They should be back soon." Bella tells him.

Charlie nods as he sits down in the recliner. He is smiling down at Bella and Abel.

"Do you want to hold him?" Bella asks picking Abel up.

Charlie nods and after a few moments, Bella places Abel in his arms.

"Hey, little man…" Charlie says softly. "He's okay, right? I know that Bella told me he was doing good but was he okay with the drive?"

"He did fine. Slept a good amount of the drive and was happy go lucky unless he was hungry." ma states.

A knock changes whatever was going to be said. Bella moves around me to answer the door.

"Charlie...this is Piney, Opie, Donna, Ellie, and Kenny." Bella says leading the group of them into the living room.

Charlie stands, still holding Abel and shakes Piney's hand.

"Thank you." Charlie says.

"For what?" Piney asks.

"Allowing me to be in her life." Charlie says.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Piney says.

Nov 19th

Charlie

I wake up to my alarm just like normal.

I head downstairs to start a pot of coffee. I am a little shocked to see Bella and Jax in running attire.

"She convinced you to go running?" I ask noticing that a pot has already been made. I pour myself a cup.

"Says I need to enjoy the fresh air while I can." Jax says with a shake of his head.

Getting up at six in the morning to go for a run was even more proof that Jax is head over heels for Bella.

"Abel is still sleeping but if he wakes up before we get back could you give him a bottle? All the stuff is on the counter." Bella asks nodding behind me.

I nod and the two of them are off.

"The only good thing about that boy was getting her into running." I mutter under my breath thinking about Jacob.

Hopefully, no one on the rez would mention to Billy that Bella was home. If Billy knew then Jacob would know, and I wanted to keep that boy as far from Bella and her family as possible.

I move to the living room where Bella had set up the playpen for Abel, who was still fast asleep. I put on the TV hoping to find something to watch.

I am just starting to get into an old John Wayne movie when Abel starts whimpering. Getting up I take him out of the playpen.

"Hey little man, you hungry?" I ask bringing him into the kitchen. I do a quick check and he still seems to be dry.

Luckily I had gotten the bottle ready so all I had to add was the warm water. Keeping a good hold of Abel, I shake his bottle and start feeding him.

Unfortunately, I must have made the bottle too thick because the instant I get ready to burp him, he throws up the entire bottle, getting it all over the two of us.

"Shit..sorry kiddo. Been a while since I had to feed a little kid." I say placing him into the bouncy seat that Bells had set up last night.

Abel laughs, watching as a look through the diaper bag that I had brought into the kitchen earlier. Unfortunately, I could only find a diaper and his bath stuff, not something to change him into.

"You want a bath?" I asked not expecting an answer.

Abel giggles and reaches his hands up to me.

I move over to the sink, filling it with lukewarm water. I place his bath stuff on the counter and remove my flannel shirt.

Jax

"Beat you." Bella says with a laugh as she reaches the front door before me.

"You are used to this place, I'm not." I say trying to catch my breath. She had taken me for a run through the woods. I was lucky that I didn't break my neck.

Bella laughs as she enters the house.

"We're back!" she yells.

"Kitchen!" Charlie yells.

I follow her into the kitchen planning on getting some water when I hear Abel laughing and splashing.

"Dad!" Bella laughs taking in the sight in front of us.

Charlie is standing there in his soaked jeans while Abel is splashing in the sink.

"Careful, the floor is soaked." Charlie says.

"I am so sorry. I should have told you to give him a bath in the tub. He is a water baby." Bella says trying to hide her smile.

"Anyone home?!" a voice calls from behind us.

"Charlie!" Leah says laughing.

"What happened in here?" a teen boy that looked related to Leah asked.

"Water baby strikes again." Destiny says softly coming into the room.

"Help." Charlie says.

"I'll get a towel." An older woman that I guess would be Leah's mom says seeing a towel at Charlie's feet.

"Can you grab a diaper and onesie for him? His bag is in my room. " Bella asks.

"You know Charlie, I think that you are supposed to wash the kid not the kitchen floor." Leah says with a grin.

"Last time I gave a sink bath was over twenty years ago. I think I have a good excuse for messing up." Charlie says with a grin as the older woman comes back into the kitchen.

"Here you go." She says handing the towel, diaper, and onesie to Bella.

Bella places the onesie and diaper on the table and moves to take Charlie's place at the sink.

"Did you soak grandpa, my little Padawan?" she asks softly as Abel smiles up at her.

Abel just smiles up at her as she drains what little water is left in the sink.

"Bella, his photos don't do him justice." The older woman says as she uses another towel to help Charlie dry off.

"What are your guys' plans for today?" Leah asks.

"Well, I was thinking of bringing Jax and Abel to First Beach. I think Opie, Donna, and the kids were planning on joining us." Bella says as she gets Abel dressed into his onesie.

"Piney, Gemma and Clay are coming over." Charlie states putting his flannel shirt back on.

"What are you guys doing?" I ask a little confused about why they had stopped by.

"We are on our way to do some shopping, thought we would stop by and see if there was anything in particular that you couldn't eat for dinner." The older woman asks.

"No allergies for any of us." I tell her.

"Do you think you could make those cheesy mashed potatoes. I want to start introducing different foods to little man here?" Bella asks as Abel leans into her.

"Sweet." The boy says with a grin.

"Seth asked for them too." Leah says with a grin.

"I'll add it to the list." Destiny says taking out a pad of paper that was in her back pocket.

"I think I have forgotten my manners. I'm Sue and this is Seth. It's Jackson, right?" Sue says holding out her hand.

"Jax." I say shaking her hand.

"We should shower and change." Bella says softly to me.

"I can watch him if you guys want to get out of those workout clothes." Charlie asks going over to Bella, holding out his hands for Abel. Bella hands him over. "The kid and I are going to see if we can find a game to watch." He says smiling at the others before heading into the living room.

"We are going to get going. We'll see all of you tomorrow around noon." Sue says with a smile as the four of them leave.

"I think we should conserve water and shower together." Bella says leaning up to kiss me.

"What about your dad?" I ask as she leads me up the stairs.

"I can be quiet. Can you?" she asks with a smirk.