CHAPTER ONE.

I never thought I would be driving back too charming, but here I am 11 years later driving down the same streets I learnt to drive on.

I left charming 11 years ago when I was 19 - with a purpose – to become a doctor. When the opportunity for me to attend med school in Chicago came to me there was no way I could not go, if only the timing was better and people where little more supportive. So I achieved my degree, got an internship at Chicago prestitrarian hospital, studied my residency there and I finally achieved my goal as a fully qualified paediatric and trauma surgeon and I love it.

However, most people who know me don't know about my connection to the sons of anarchy, the place I grew up and the people I grew up with. I haven't hidden it from anybody I guess I just focused on my career and the few friends I had in Chicago and nobody really asked. That was until things went south and I received at job offer here in charming at St Thomas. That's why im back.

So here I am about to pull in to my old family home with no family in it. Mom left when we were young, she came in and out, she didn't have the strength to be my dad's old lady any longer. My brother Opie was becoming more and more committed to the club since he starting prospecting at age 16 but we always stayed close, despite him doing time for the past 5 years. Then as I got older dad spent most days and nights either at the clubhouse or that rotting cabin and I assume that he's at either one right now, and neither I can bring myself to go to yet.

I still have the same key I've always had, I dig through my purse to find it and unlock the front door. As I open it I can tell straight away no one has been in a while, it still smells the same – of old cigarettes and leather. I walk through to the small kitchen to grab a glass of water, the drive has been long and my mouth feels dry even more due to the anxiety I am feeling back in this familiar place. I bring through my bags to my bedroom which hasn't changed. My dressing table is empty but all my photographs are still in their frames, mainly ones of me and Jax – we have a lot of them from all ages.

It hasn't really dawned on me until now that I'm going to have to face him one way or another, the way I left wasn't the best – for us. Opie has updated me on him through phone calls even when I didn't ask he just knew I wanted to know, some things I wish I didn't know. I know he did some short time in jail, became VP and was planning on getting married and that's the last I heard since Opie went away. I have kept in contact with Donna – she's the only one who knows about my new job position at St Thomas, I think it will be good for her to know I'm around now.

Its mid – afternoon and I'm not sure what to do first but this place definitely needs a clean so I head into town to grab some essentials. I still drive the black Cadillac my dad got me for my 17th birthday – its vintage I guess and sentimental. I arrive at the store and already I'm getting looks, of course the guy at the registry hasn't retried in the past 11 years and recognises me instantly.

"Cara Winston, as I live and breathe. Is that you?!" he said and I'm screaming on the inside for him to lower his voice

"Hey … how are you doin?" hesitantly I reply

"Well I'm getting on alright I suppose" as he scans through some of my items slowly, he continues to go on ... "So what brings you back too beautiful charming huh? Has Gemma called and ask you to take her place?" he says laughing and I'm lost for words already.

"hahaha yeah not really, well erm … I … I gotta get going, got a lot of people to see you know so. It was good seeing you. Take care!" and I scurry as quickly as I can out the door to my car and straight to Opie and Donna's place.

Driving to Opie's and Donna's I'm looking forward to seeing them. Hopefully they will make me realise why I came back because already I just want to hide in the operating theatre at St Thomas.

It takes me only 5 minutes to get there, I park my car in their drive and open their front door, Donna comes running towards me.

"Oh my gosh I can't believe you are actually here!" As she squeezes me as I do back.

"Me either actually, it's good to be back. You look well, where are the kids?" I ask as I close the door behind me.

"They are at school; they should be home soon. Come sit, you want a beer?" she asks

I almost forgot the last time I seen Kenny and Ellie they were tiny babies when they came to Chicago for the weekend, I suppose that's the reality of moving away. I feel glad Donna has offered me a beer. That's one part of me that hasn't changed – day drinking - and I needed it after today.

"Ugh I'd love one!" I say as I sit down at the kitchen table.

Donnas hands me the beer and she sits down opposite me and I take in my surroundings. There's pictures of the kids scattered all around, a lot different to the last time I was here when Harleys where they only pictures hanging on the walls.

"So, are you staying at the house?" Donna asks then takes a sip of her beer.

I nod and take a sip of my beer as well "Yeah, I mean it saves me searching for a place y'know? I'm gonna need to completely gut that place out and hire a gardener for sure"

Donna laughed and agreed "It's good to have you back Cara."

I smile but I can't help but still feel a little weak in the knees about seeing Opie and my dad, I visited Opie in jail a couple of times half way through his sentence and dad I've only seen twice in 11 years.

"So have you seen anyone yet? I know you haven't seen Opie cause he's out chipping wood at work but what about Piney? Jax even?" Donna asks as she walks over to the kitchen to fix a snack.

My weak and nervous knees come back as she mentions his name, Donna's expression looks worried and concerned as she looks at me.

"Erm, I haven't actually seen anyone, only you and the stupid guy in the store but I think I just wanna get settled first – see Opie and the kids."

Donna touches my arm as she sits back down with the snacks and says "Well you are welcome to stay the night; I know we all have a lot of catching up to do."

I smile and say "Thanks, but I'll see."

Hours went by and me and Donna have chatted none stop. Our conversation came to a hault when the front door opened and in came the kids followed by Piney - my dad.

Donna's face lit up "Hey kids! Did y'all have a good day?!"

Kenny and Ellie both look shy as they look my direction. I get up from my chair slowly and say. "Hey guys!" They both reply hesitantly with a hi as expected and Donna asks them to go wash up before dinner.

"They are shy souls" Donna says to me but I can't forget who's standing right in front of me wearing the same denim cut he has worn since I entered this world.

Just as I go to say hi I feel a tight embrace, he holds on.

"My little girl" he whispers in my ear and I instantly inhale the familiar smell of whiskey and smoke as he looks back at me. "I knew you'd come back, couldn't stay away from me that long could ya? Huh? Ha"

"Hi pops" I said and its then I realised how much I have missed him.

Opie joins us later on and it's as though we had just seen each other yesterday. This whole day feels like I have jumped into a time capsule.

It gets late I decide it's time to head back to the house and get some sleep. Opie walks me to my car and opens the driver's door for me as we stand next to it.

"Little overwhelming huh? All this shit" Opie says to me as he starts to light a cigarette.

"Yeah, almost makes me wanna take of puff of one of those" he ushers it towards me but I put my hand up laughing "Don't wanna start that habit again"

"Yeah you probably deal with the kind of people that die from this shit" he says laughing.

"I deal with all kinds" I say yawning.

"Alright well I'm working, or shall I say slaving all day tomorrow but I'll see you at some point I guess" Opie says as he stumps out his cigarette on the ground.

"You are taking care of your family Ope. I'm proud of you. Plus, Isn't that what out darling parents taught us to do?" I say sarcastically as we both burst out laughing.

"Yeah Mary the saint of all mothers and that ass through there you mean?" Opie replies.

I continue laughing and hop into my car "Alright, night sis" Opie says and closes my door.

"Good night!" I shout back as he closes his front door.

I turn on my engine and return home not knowing but knowing what tomorrow will bring.