Chapter 15.

Tara

When I got home from work, Gemma's car was waiting for me in the driveway. I knew that she was already inside and I started to mentally prepare myself to receive her ridicule. Jax had forewarned me through text that she knew about the daycare, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before the Queen of Control confronted me about it. But I was prepared for her and her antics and I will not be bullied on how I decide to care for my child.

When I opened the door, Gemma ambushed me and grabbed Thomas. "Took you long enough," she said taking the infant from my hands. "How is grandma's little baby?" she said cooing at Thomas. I could feel my irritation kicking in as she blatantly ignored me. "He needs to be fed and I need to put him to bed," I said grabbing her attention.

"That's fine, I'll do it," she said giving me a look, "I bet you need a diaper change too, huh? I doubt those strangers can take care of you like grandma can." I took a deep breath as she indirectly insulted my decision by saying it to Thomas. I was so fed up with her antics and her behavior, that her current situation no longer had an effect on me. I tried being patient with Gemma because of all the things she had endured with Clay, but she was running out of passes with me. Her need to control everyone and everything would have to stop now. I was a grown woman, a mother, and her son's ol lady, I didn't need her to assist me in any way. Nor did I need her trying to control the decisions I make for my family.

"Oh, I saw Abel today," she bragged while sitting down to feed Thomas.

"You did? Where?" My interest was genuine because, in the time that Abel was gone, it felt like I had lost my own child. Hearing any updates on him was always a plus.

"At the park, he was so excited. We had a picnic and everything," she chuckled to herself as she replayed whatever memory she had in her head.

"Oh, Erin invited you?" Gemma made a face at my question. She clearly still had animosity towards Erin, and Erin hadn't made it any better by policing our time with Abel.

"Yeah, she was there," there was an obvious bitterness in her voice, "she needs to give her youngest one a haircut, poor thing can barely see."

Ah yes, it was just like Gemma to critique everyone around her. Regardless of the fact, that I also wasn't Erin's biggest supporter, it was obvious that Gemma was trying to reel me into her usual gossip. I didn't blame her for her attempt, it was what we used to do, how we bonded. But it was all in vain because if I got on Gemma's bad side, she would also turn on me.

"I mean, you should have seen him with all that hair! It's obviously becoming a problem and he's old enough for a cut. She's just being lazy," she ranted.

"Mmhmm," I responded. Gemma looked at me for a moment and said nothing, finally seeing that I wasn't going to engage in our usual bash fest. Unfortunately for me, that is when Thomas began to cough. The cough wasn't concerning to me in the least and I knew that it would pass soon, but that cough was everything Gemma needed to demonize me as a parent.

"You see, now he's sick! It's that damn daycare," she grumbled as she soothed Thomas. I rolled my eyes at her dramatic behavior and continued to stand there until she put Thomas down for his nap. I could tell that my lack of action to do exactly what she wanted me to had angered her. So, when she put Thomas down for his nap I was ready for whatever she was prepared to say to me.

"Thomas is congested, you need a humidifier in that room," she said brushing past me.

"It's not a dry cough, a humidifier won't help."

Gemma began to toss her belongings roughly into her purse, "And they don't need to be in daycare. We can take care of our own." And there it is, the actual cause of her mood.

"They need to socialize with other children," I said plainly, "and let's be honest, I don't think you're up for the task."

Gemma's movements came to a halt as she registered what I was saying, "excuse me?"

"You have every right to be distracted, you've been through a lot-"

"Just say what you mean," she snapped.

"I smell weed and alcohol on your breath every morning."

"I don't smoke or drink in the morning," she said matter-of-factly.

I gave her a look, "I'm a doctor, Gemma, I know how long drugs and alcohol stay in your system, and until you can get it together, I don't want you alone with my son."

Her eyebrows rose in shock, "really? Jax feels the same way?"

"I didn't tell him but he knows that you're not yourself." Gemma nodded her head slowly as the gravity of what I was saying started to weigh on her. She knew that at any moment I could tell Jax about her state and he would side with me, no questions asked. He knew that my decisions were the best thing for our son, and that would trump anything that his mother would say.

Gemma sucked her teeth, "you know keeping me from one grandchild, won't bring you closer to the other one." I glared at Gemma as she continued, "you know Erin doesn't even plan on being in Charming for long. Talked about co-parenting with Jax from afar, but didn't even mention you. I doubt she even trusts you to be alone with him."

"Oh please, I am way more stable than you, anyone can see that," I snapped.

"Is that so? Tell me, when's the last time she invited you anywhere close to Abel? Did you decide to skip it? Because I don't remember you being there."

I scoffed, "are you trying to make me jealous?"

Gemma chuckled dryly, "I don't have to, you already are. Abel is Jax's son but he's calling someone else mommy, that must kill you that you can't have them both."

I could feel the steam coming out of my ears as I inched closer to Gemma, "do you think for a second that Erin would trust you with Abel? That she would entrust you as some kind of guardian for him," I scoffed, "please, I'm a surgeon, and quite possibly the only one in this family that is a suitable adult for him. Not some ex-ol lady who can't seem to stop killing all her husbands." Venom seeped out from my lips as I directed all my anger toward her. I could tell that I had upset her, but then keys jingled on the outside of the door and we broke apart as Jax came in.

"Hey baby," I said planting a tender kiss on his lips.

"Hey," he said with a cheerful smile. His eyes bounced between me and his mother and I knew that he felt the tension. "We okay?" he asked.

Gemma glared at me from across the room, "oh yeah, we're perfect."