2006

It was only a few days after her college graduation, Anna sat at the vanity in her old bedroom. An ivory wedding dress was hanging on the back of the door. A day that she had anticipated for years had finally come and she was ecstatic. The young woman worked on her hair, braiding and pinning for an hour or so. She inhaled a deep breath as she pinned the final piece of hair at the nape of her neck. Her dark brown hair fell in loose waves across her shoulders and down her back. The woman admired her work, twirling in front of the mirror until she saw her mother's reflection.

Gemma grabbed the veil from its hanger and she walked up behind her daughter. She glanced down at the vanity to see her comb, the one she wore when she married John. It was covered in crystals along with gold accents. It had a few white flowers across the band. Picking it up, she tilted it and watched as the crystals reflected rainbows across the purple wall.

"I wore this when I married your dad." Gemma's voice held a note of sadness, but she was quick to hide it.

It was hard for Gemma not to reminisce about her time with John but she forced the thought away from her mind. She knew this had to be hard on Anna without her father and Gemma felt guilty but she hid it well.

There was a knock at the door and the photographer walked through the door, instantly pulling Gemma from her thoughts.

"A few pictures with the mother and bride?" The photographer smiled brightly, holding his camera up.

The pair posed in front of the camera with ease.

Gemma placed the veil in Anna's hair, followed by the comb. Both of them had a soft smile on their face.

After a few poses, the photographer left the room and Gemma helped her daughter with the finishing touches.

"Anna, your dad would be so proud of you," Gemma smiled sadly, "I hope you know I love you."

Anna's fingers fiddled with the beading on her dress before she looked over at her mother.

"I love you, mom. Thank you for being here with me today." Anna leaned in to kiss her mother's cheek.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Gemma pulled her daughter into a tight hug.

A knock sounded at the door and the women pulled away from each other.

Gemma moved towards the door and pulled it open to reveal Jax, dressed to the 9s in a suit and tie.

He walked into the room and moved towards his sister, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Don't you look handsome?" Anna remarked, adjusting his tie for him.

Jax cut his eyes at his sister.

"I wouldn't do it if it wasn't for you." Jax laughed as he kissed Anna's forehead.

Anna put on the finishing touches and she slid on her engagement ring, followed by her shoes.

Gemma walked out of the room ahead of her daughter, making sure the coast was clear.

"Are you ready?" Jax asked with a bright smile.

Anna could not have been more ready than she was in that moment. In just an hour or so, she'd be married to her high school sweetheart, David Hale. She knew how Clay felt and he definitely made it known by refusing to walk her down the aisle. Although she knew that her family could hardly stand it. Anna nodded her head towards her brother, her hand linked with Jax's as he helped her down the stairs.

The pair of siblings stood at the back door of Gemma and Clay's house. Through the patterned glass, Anna could see David's silhouette and her heart skipped a beat.

"Thank you for doing this, Jax." She leaned over to kiss his cheek.

The music started and the pair walked out into the backyard.

With the help of the women and the guys, it had been transformed. Anna didn't want much. All she wanted was to marry her best friend and her soulmate. Anna smiled at David as Jax walked her down the aisle.

David wiped his eyes hastily as a soft smile covered his features.

When the pair reached the end of the aisle, Jax held his sister's hand tightly.

"Who gives away this woman?" The officiant asked.

Jax and Anna both looked over their shoulder, every man from SAMCRO sat in a row with Clay and Gemma at the helm.

"Me and everyone else in leather." Jax chuckled along with everyone else surrounding them.

All in all, he was right. Everyone around her had a hand in raising her, one way or another. Some of them had taught her how to change a tire and change her oil, while others had taught her some lessons in life.

David took her hands in his, mouthing a small 'I love you' as their eyes met. Her dress was ivory, decorated in lace with a long train behind her. They shared their vows and promises to each other before the officiant pronounced them husband and wife.

"You may now kiss your bride." He announced.

David scooped Anna into his arms and he held her tightly before their lips met. It was a tender kiss, soft but passionate. The pair walked back down the aisle, but now it was time for the real party to start.

The pair made their way upstairs to Anna's bedroom, a chance to get some time alone before the reception.

"You're all mine, Mrs. Hale." David chuckled lightly.

"Forever." Anna wrapped her arms around his neck.

— 2008 —

It was coming up on almost two years since the Hales had gotten married but so much had happened since their first anniversary. Jax and Wendy were expecting their first child, and Anna could not have been more ecstatic for her brother. Anna and David had struggled to get pregnant but maybe it just wasn't their time.

Anna sat behind her desk, watching her students as they worked on a group project until her cellphone pulled her out of her thoughts. It was Gemma.

"Hey, honey, we're on our way to the hospital, the stupid junkie—" Gemma started but Anna cut her off.

"I'll be there after work." She answered before quickly hanging up the phone.

Silently, she prayed. She prayed that her nephew would be okay. She prayed for Jax but she pushed those thoughts out of her head, moving on to continue the day with her students. Once the final bell rang, she packed her backpack and almost ran out the door.

The drive to the hospital was a silent one. Anna sent a text to David to let him know she'd be late before she walked into the hospital to see her mother in the waiting room. Gemma pulled her into a hug.

"Where's Jax?" Anna asked quietly.

Gemma sighed, having already dealt with Jax earlier that afternoon. The waiting room was silent until Tara approached the two Teller women.

Tara had been Anna's best friend in high school. The two were inseparable and then she ran off after graduation when her and Jax broke up. Anna couldn't say she didn't understand it.

"Tara, you're back." Anna acknowledged.

Tara strained a smile and nodded her head.

"Abel is stable for now but the doctor wants to go through with the surgery." Tara explained.

Gemma nodded her head but Anna was confused. She knew her mother would walk her through it once Tara walked away.

"He's got the family flaw." Gemma looked back at her daughter, who had dealt with her share of the same heart defect. "Then he has a tear in his abdomen."

Anna texted her brother to check on him but she didn't expect a response. Jax wasn't one to show his emotions if he could help it, much like the rest of them.

"Go home and get some rest." Gemma leaned over to kiss her daughter's cheek.

"Mom, I'm fine, why don't you get home?" Anna retorted.

Gemma rolled her eyes with a somber chuckle.

"I gotta go take care of your brother first."

Anna nodded in response, "let me know if you need any help."

When Anna got home, all the lights were off, only to find David already in bed. She knew the last few weeks had been rough for him and she wanted to let him sleep. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before she crawled into bed beside him.

"I love you to the moon." She whispered as she threw her arm over his midsection.

"And back again." He peeked over at her, just to kiss her hair and pull her closer.