Spark in the Dark

Chapter 156

"A car key?" Chibs asked.

"Yeah," Shawn said and looked around. She spotted Unser close by and motioned him over.

"Holy shit," he said when he got closer and saw what was in her hand. "Is that the Goddamn key to my squad car?"

"Yes, it is. I gave it to Opie after I stole it and he gave it back after Stahl arrested me. He kept it all those years," Shawn explained. "I was going to put it in with him. You know, if that's okay with you?"

"I don't think I need it anymore," Unser told her. "You go ahead, sweetheart."

Shawn nodded a thanks to Unser, but hesitated to go into the Chapel where Opie was laid out. She turned to Juice. "Will you go with me?"

Juice immediately stood and placed his hand on the small of her back to escort her over to the Chapel. They stepped into the room and Juice glanced at Shawn to see if she was okay. The tears in her eyes glistened, but didn't fall. She stepped forwards and, carefully, placed the key into the pocket of his cut. She stepped back and Juice put his arm around her, again.

"I'm really going to miss him," she whispered to Juice.

"I know," he said and kissed her temple. "We all are."

They stayed there for another minute or two while they both said a silent goodbye to their friend. When they stepped out, Lyla approached them. Juice told her how sorry he was for her loss and said if she needed anything to let them know.

"Right now, I just need a drink," Lyla told him.

"I can do that," he told her and the three of them walked back over to the bar.

Chibs gave up his seat for Lyla and Juice motioned for Shawn to sit in the one he had been in a few minutes before. Chibs motioned to the Cro Eater behind the bar to pour three shots. She slid them over to Chibs and he handed one to Lyla and another to Juice, keeping the last one for himself.

"Sorry, darling," he told Shawn.

"I'll live," Shawn said with a smirk.

"To Opie," Chibs said and held up his shot glass. Juice and Lyla did the same.

"To Opie."

The wake lasted another two hours and Shawn realized somewhere in that time that she hadn't seen much of Jax around. They got word that Skeeter was back with the hearse to pick up Opie and Bobby went to find him. When he did finally enter the room, everyone stood, Shawn included, though it took her longer on account of her belly.

Jackson headed into the Chapel to say his own goodbye to his fallen friend. Lyla followed slowly. Shawn glanced at Juice and then followed Lyla, not wanting her to be alone. Gemma had come in from the office and put an arm around each girl. They guys all entered the Chapel and carried Opie's coffin out on their shoulders. Gemma led both Shawn and Lyla out after Clay, who was following behind the others. Once his coffin was loaded into the car, Jax shut the door and Skeeter drove away.

Juice approached Shawn and put his hands on either side of her belly. "Do you want to go home?"

"I'm Lyla's ride. As long as she's ready, I'll take her home and then meet you there?"

"Okay," Juice nodded.

Shawn looked for Lyla and spotted her close by, talking to some of the club hang arounds, but before she could take a step closer to her, Jax put his hand on her shoulder.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jax asked Shawn. "I want to bounce something off you."

"Oh, okay," Shawn said and glanced at Juice quickly before looking back at Jax. "I only have a minute. I'm giving Lyla a lift home."

Jax called Phil over and told him to make sure Lyla got home safe before turning to Juice. "I'll bring her back in one piece."

"Alright," Juice said. He knew Jax was basically telling him to stay put so he could talk to Shawn alone and tried not to let it bother him. He watched Jax lead Shawn back inside before turning to talk to some of the guys.

"She hates me," Tig said to Juice.

"Of course she doesn't," Juice argued. "She's just sad. It's a lot of stress on her right now."

"I'm the reason for all the stress and she knows it."

"Give her some time, man. It'll all work itself out sooner or later."

"If you say so," Tig shrugged.

Jax lead Shawn down the hall and into the dorm Juice used to use. It had since been converted into more of an office.

"Please, sit," Jax told Shawn and she took a seat on the couch with him. "You planning on going back to work for Dondo ever?"

"No. Not sure that line of work is meant for me anymore. It was too hard having to watch that shit, you know?"

Jax nodded. "What if you didn't have to watch anymore?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nero's place got shut down after a recent raid. I've been talking to him about reopening somewhere else as partners," Jax said. Shawn looked at him curiously, wondering where this was going. "I had a few conditions in order for us to partner up. One of them is that Carla has to be out and you're in. I don't trust her, but I do trust you."

Shawn laughed incredulously. "Are you serious? You want me to be... what? A Madam at a brothel?"

"Something like that," Jax nodded with a smirk. "If I'm going to do this, I need someone who can be my eyes and ears there."

"Why exactly are you doing this?"

"I want to move the club out of all the shit we are in and into a more legitimate business. It's what's best for all of us. Juice included."

"Wow," Shawn said and leaned back onto the couch. "Using my husband to get what you want, huh?"

"What's best for Juice is also what's best for you and Juice Jr. there."

"And how exactly does Juice Jr. fit in to this? I'm pretty sure pregnant chicks don't just hang around brothels usually."

"So, you'll do office work until the kid is born. Then after you post partum time is over you can take on more work."

"Like what? Sucking dick?"

"Of course not."

"You know how I feel about prostitution. You were there when I fired Ima for it back when Cara Cara still existed."

"Just think about it. Talk it over with Juice. Then get back to me, okay?"

"I guess," Shawn said and started to stand. Jax stood faster and pulled her to her feet. He placed a hand on her belly and smiled.

"I'm really happy for you guys."

"Thanks," Shawn told him. He kissed her forehead and they walked out of the room together. Shawn found Juice and told him she was ready to go. He walked her to her car and gave her a kiss as he opened the driver's side door for her.

"Wait for me. I'll follow you," Juice told her and shut the door.