A black Crow sat watching on top of the Welcome to Charming sign as I drove my white beat up 1965 Mustang past it, causing a knot to tighten in my stomach. From Experience crows usually meant some kind of warning. Maybe it was warning me not to keep going, not to return home after so many years away. It wasn't a choice I wanted to make, but one I knew I needed to. For Ope. His wife Donna had been killed in a drive by which was meant for Opie. Opie was my older brother by 2 years. We grew up in charming, even when our Mom up and left just after my 14th birthday. Our Dad was part of a motorcycle club called Sons of Anarchy which my mum completely hated. It didn't help that Opie's best mate was Jax Teller, the presidents step son. Opie and him were thick as thieves and both determined to join the club as soon as they could. When I was 16 I started dating Jax. Around that same time Opie started dating my best friend Donna, and for the next 2 years we were tight. After graduation I got offered a full scholarship to California University to study music. At first I wasn't going to take it. I was in love with Jax. My life was in Charming. Jax broke up with me, cheated on me, basically did everything to drive me away. It worked. I had gone to CU, and I had got my degree and a job teaching music at a High School in San Diego. While my brother spent 5 years Chingy State Penitentiary for the club, Donna had brought their two kids Ellie and Kenny up to stay with me every holidays. I hadn't seen them since Opie had got out. As I got closer to Opie's house I checked myself in the rear view mirror, wondering if I had changed much. I still had the same piercing blue eyes outlined in dark long eyelashes but my plain brown hair was now lightened with streaks of blonde from the sun. I had lost my Teenage pudge and thinned out. I wore my jean cut off shorts, and a white singlet, which showed off my bronze skin. On my feet I had gone with my old faithful chuck Taylors. I sighed to myself as I pulled up to the curb outside his house. A few cars and a couple of motorbikes were parked in his drive and on his lawn. I took a deep breath and got out of the car walking towards the front door. It was open so I made way further into the house. I stopped short when I saw my mother Mary in the kitchen.
"Hi mom" I said politely. She turned to me her face breaking into a smile and came towards me.
"Charlotte" she said, but I side stepped and dodged her hug.
"Where's Ope?" was all I said. She dropped her hands, trying to hide her disappointment.
"he's out back, with the kids" she replied. I made my way through the lounge to the back yard. Ellie and Kenny were sitting on the swings. Ellie saw me first.
"Aunty Char" she cried out jumping off and running towards me. Kenny was close behind. I knelt down and caught them both in my arms.
"Hey my babies" I said hugging them both close. Ellie turned her face into my shoulder.
"I'm so glad you're here" she whispered holding on tight. I looked up as Opie walked towards me, a sad smile on his face.
"Hey Big bear" I said detangling myself from the kids and standing to be pulled into a big hug.
I held my brother tightly.
"you're here" he said. "Thank you"
"Where else would I go?" I bit my lip to stop the tears that were threatening to consume me. I stood back, and froze when my gaze fell on Jax, standing just off to the side. He stepped forward.
"Hey Char" he gave me a smile before leaning towards me and kissing my cheek.
"Jax" I greeted our eyes locked for a moment before Ellie was tugging on my hand.
"Aunty Char are you going to stay with us?" she asked causing me to look at her.
"Yeah baby girl" I replied giving her a full smile. "That ok with you?"
She nodded hugging me tight. Opie looked at his daughter with sad eyes.
"Ope, Kids" Dinner" Mary called from the kitchen. Kenny and Ellie quietly went inside.
"You got bags you need help with? "Opie asked.
"go eat with your kids," Jax said. "I can help with bags" Ope nodded and followed his kids inside.
Jax and I walked around the house to the front where my car was.
"No shit you still have this bad girl?" he exclaimed running his hand along its fender.
I smiled." yeah she needs a lot of work though" I replied watching him.
"You should bring it to TM," he suggested. TM meaning Teller Morrow Auto mechanics, where the home of Sons of Anarchy Charming was.
I just shrugged and went round to open the boot. It was full of boxes and bags.
"You planning on sticking around a bit?" Jax asked eyeing all my stuff.
"Got me a job teaching music at Charming High" came my reply and as I picked up a box. "Figured this is where I need to be now, for Opie and the kids"
"I'm so sorry about Donna" he said touching her arm. "You guys were always close. "
"yeah well it's not about me "I replied moving away and heading back to the house.
Once all the boxes were in the spare room, we headed out to the kitchen and sat at the table to have some dinner.
Mary put a plate of friend chicken, beans and potatoes in front of us. Jax attacked his meal while I slowly picked at mine. My stomach was so wound up sitting next to him that food was the last thing I knew I should be putting in it. I reached for my beer the same time as he reached for his, our hands brushing against each other causing my stomach to threaten sending back up what had just gone down.
"Forgotten what good home cooking is?" Mary asked causing me to shift my gaze to her. "Seems to me you've been munching on those rabbit food salads down there, being so skinny and all"
"different life style ma" I replied. I chewed on some beans.
"Aunty Char, are you going to be our mum now?" Kenny asked, speaking for the first time since his mom had died. Everyone looked at him.
"I can't be your mom" I replied gently "she was one of a kind, but I'm going to look after you like she would have wanted me too. Because I have this huge part of my heart that is only for you and your sister, and the love in there for you both I hope will help make things seem a little better."
"I would like that" Kenny said before he followed Ellie out of the room.
"Thanks" Opie said. "He's been so withdrawn"
"So how long are you staying?" Mary asked.
"Well I've packed my life in a boot full of boxes, and got a job at Charming High" I replied.
"oh Hun" Mary looked sadly at me. "You got out of here, why would you waste it all to come back here"
"Because" I said glaring at her "unlike you, I don't walk out on my family, especially when they need me" I stood up. "I'm not hungry, but thanks for dinner anyway." I headed into the lounge after the kids.
I sat and watched a movie with Ellie and Kenny while Mary cleaned up after dinner and headed home. Opie and Jax headed back outside to finish their beers and smoke. By the time the boys came back in I had one sleeping child curled up on either side of me.
"Hey" I said quietly. "They're exhausted"
"I'll put them to bed" Opie said first picking up Ellie and carrying her to their room. He came back shortly for Kenny who had woken begging for a story. "Won't be long" he said disappearing into the room. Jax leaned against the door frame, hands in pockets.
"You look good Char" he said melting her with his blue gaze.
"you still look like Jax" she replied. "Just with more worry lines"
He laughed. "nice" he paused. "Look Char about when you left. "
"it's ok" I said curling me feet up under me. "I understand why you did what you did"
"I was an asshole to you" he said sitting down in the sofa chair opposite her. He rested his arms on his knees. "I'm sorry"
I smiled. "Yeah you were. But I wouldn't have listened if you hadn't of been. And because of you I went and did what I dreamed."
"'I'm proud of you Char" he stood. "I better go. "he paused at the door. "I'm really glad you came back" he said. "Tell Ope I'll see him tomorrow at the service" then he was gone.