A SMALL SMILE FORMED ON CANDY'S FACE as she looked over herself in the small mirror that occupied space in the dorm room of SAMCRO's clubhouse.

Today was the first day that Candy would be babysitting Abel for a few hours and her nerves were at an all time high. She always had a soft spot for children — a feeling and need to protect those who couldn't protect themselves yet. It was probably a reaction from the way she grew up, wishing she had someone there for her younger self.

The brunette shook the trauma thoughts from her head before grabbing her keys and purse from the old wooden side table before exiting the room.

It was early enough that Candy hoped no one else would be awake in the clubhouse yet. She knew Gemma would be of course, but the matriarch would be in the office working. It was more Juan she cared about to be honest.

Juan and Remi had been nice enough to offer their extra room to Candy when she arrived in Charming, and of course she took their offer with a tight smile plastered on her face but, lately Carmen had been staying at the clubhouse. It just felt more comfortable to her. Gemma had offered her one of the spare rooms and she happily and quickly accepted. It had hurt Juan's feelings and she knew that but she didn't feel comfortable at his house.

Their relationship had been strained for years and while he was trying ( a little too hard ) to make it better it was too much and too soon for Candy. Granted, she had called him and asked him for help, but she had no one else. In her mind she was entitled to Juan's help because of how he just left her, yet he wasn't entitled to a relationship with her — at least a good one. Candy could fake one for him but really open up to him she wasn't sure if she could do that.

A sigh of relief left Carmen's lips as she entered the front of the clubhouse and noticed it empty. She quickly made her way towards the exit before anyone had the change to wake up and disturb her peaceful getaway.

The sun immediately blinded the brunette as she exited the dark clubhouse, quickly she grabbed her sunglasses from her purse. Her face was still bruised from her broken nose and while the headaches weren't so bad and the swelling had gone down slightly, the bright light still made the headaches worse.

"Hey."

Carmen jumped at the sound of Happy's raspy voice. That damn voice always made her stomach clench. It was so fucking sexy. It had been a long time since she had actually felt someone for a man that wasn't fake or paid to feel. It scared her.

"Fuck. Are you trying to kill me? It's a little creepy for you to just be sitting out here." Candy raised her eyebrow as she turned around to face the tattooed biker.

Happy raised an eyebrow at the brunette. He knew she had a mouth on her , he had heard it plenty of times when she spoke to Juice or when she got drunk and flirted with Tig. He was pretty certain she never remembered flirting with Tig, because neither one of them spoke of it the next day.

"You got a fuckin' mouth on you, little girl." Happy rasped as he stared at her up and down. She was wearing a simple pair of jeans with rips at the knees and a simple black tank top that showed some of her skin with a red and black plaid long sleeved shirt over it. He liked the way she looked. Carmen was the first girl in a long time that he felt a real attraction towards. She wasn't just free pussy and he liked that.

"Thanks. It's something I pride myself in." A wide smile took over her face as she looked at Happy.

Happy shook his head, trying not to let her see the smirk that broke out on his usual stoic face.

"Well, see you around." Candy gave him a small wave before walking off towards her car.

Happy watched as she walked away. The sway of her hips drove him mad. He wanted her and he was certain she wanted him too, but she was Juice's sister and that was a problem. Happy ran a hand over his face before walking back into the clubhouse.

_____

LAUGHTER LEFT CANDY'S MOUTH as she pushed Abel on the swing, loud giggles of his own leaving his mouth the more Candy pushed him.

Abel was an absolute sweetheart and Candy could already tell she was going to love babysitting him. She had decided to take the toddler to the park once she got the okay from Tara and Jax — it was too nice of a day to sit inside. And it seemed to be the right idea because Abel was having the best time playing on the swings and going down the slides.

It made Candy happy to see a child having a normal and fun childhood. This was what kids were suppose to be doing not cleaning up after their mother and her many pill addicted boyfriends.

"Car!" Abel yelled as his little finger pointed towards the street.

Candy turned her head turned the street where a few cars were coming and going. "Yeah Abel, that's a car." The brunette smiled as her eyes narrowed at a black town car that she was certain she had seen multiple times since they had arrived at the park.

"No! That car!" Abel yelled as he shook his finger at the black car that looked a bit suspicious to Carmen.

Carmen could feel her heartbeat begin to quicken. Now without a doubt she was certain she had seen that car before. Without a word the brunette took Abel from the swing and began slowly walking towards her car, hoping whoever was in the car didn't notice that she had noticed them.

"Abel, do you want to go see grandma?" Candy kept her voice cheerful as she kept a tight hold on the toddler.

How could she had been so stupid and carefree? She knew Beau would find her soon yet she acted as though everything was fine. How fucking stupid of her.

"Yeah!" Abel nodded with a smile on his small face.

Candy smiled as the nerves in her body continued to grow. A small relief came once they reached her car and she quickly buckled Abel into his car seat, shutting the door once he was all in she kept her brown eyes on the sleek black car as she walked around to the drivers side and slid into the car and quickly started it and drove off.

Carmen watched from her rear view mirror as the car pulled away from the curb and behind to follow behind her. A tightening feeling grew in her chest as she watched the car behind her — whoever it was Beau or someone he sent had no fear of her seeing them. They didn't care and that scared her even more.

"We're almost there." Carmen told Abel with a smile as she continued towards TM. The shop wasn't too far from the park and that was the only thing helping to calm her nerves a little.

The sign for Teller-Morrow automotive finally came into Carmen's view and a small sigh of relief left her lips as she noticed the car made a left instead of following her towards the shop. Candy pulled into the lot, shutting off her car and quickly got Abel out.

"Hey," Candy entered the office to see Gemma with her glasses over her face and typing away on the computer.

"What's wrong?" Gemma questioned immediately as she stood up from the desk and made her way towards Carmen and Abel. The Queen of SAMCRO knew when something was wrong, she could read people and Carmen's face wasn't as stoic as she thought it was.

Carmen shook her head as she handed Abel over to Gemma. She was still so shaken up from everything that she couldn't yet find the right words.

"Abel is fine. I just—" Candy trailed off as she shook her head and quickly exited the office leaving Gemma standing there confused and worried holding a smiling Abel in her arms.

_________

AN —
Finally some drama with Beau or someone he hired coming to scare/spy on Candy. Thank you for all the votes and comment! ❤️