Happy frowned when Celine came into the kitchen after Avery had left the house with Debbie to take the little girl to kindergarten before she had to go to her preschool interview.

“Hey, I don’t want to bother you; But do you have a moment for me?”, she asked, rubbing her hands together nervously.

“Sure”, Happy nodded, who was actually just about to make his way to the hardware store. But that could wait a few more minutes. “What do you need?”

“It’s about Avery.” Celine sat down at the small round table before her gaze landed back on Happy, whose expression now looked more worried. “Nothing happened”, the Dvorak woman immediately clarified.

Happy let out a barely audible but relieved sigh. For a moment he had been afraid that Avery had confided in Celine in some way but not him.

“Okay, then what's going on?”, he asked after taking the last sip of his coffee and putting the cup in the sink.

“How is she really, Happy?” Any blind person would see that Celine was worried. “She says she's fineᅳ and I believe her. But is she really? Does she still have problems? Is it still difficult for her to stay away from drugs?”

“She's fine, Celine”, Happy assured her before he also took a seat at the table and rested his arms on the dark wood, leaning forward a little. “Of course she still has a hard time staying away from drugs, the craving will always come back. It doesn't matter if she's clean for six months or ten years, in difficult situations she will always struggleᅳ just like every other addict.”

“That's not fair. She had always been so responsible. And now she has to suffer because she made one stupid choice out of desperation and grief”, the brunette sighed deeply, drawing circles on the table with the tip of her nail, her worried gaze directed out the window. “She doesn’t deserve to suffer for the rest of her life.”

“It's not fair, no, but she made her choice back then, Celine”, the SAA said in a calm tone. “But that doesn’t mean she'll feel like shit permanently. She has good days, and they keep coming. The withdrawal was almost half a year ago, but she's doing really well. And Avery is determined to stay cleanᅳ that's something good.”

“So you think she’ll be able to stay clean?” Hope sparkled in Celine's eyes as she looked back at Happy, who gave her a faint smile.

“I can’t promise it. But I’m sure she’ll stay clean”, he nodded. “And as long as she’s with me, I won’t let her to relapse again.”

“So you’re worried that it could happe despite the fact that things are going so well right now?”, she asked when she noticed that Happy was tensing up a bit, his jaw clenchedᅳ making his look appear even harder.

“Every day”, he finally admitted after lowering his gaze, also so Celine couldn’t read his emotions. “But I have a good feeling. Avery is trying really hard.”

Of course, there were days when Avery felt absolutely shitty, but he wouldn't mention that to Celine. And yet Avery got up every day, took care of the house and Debbie. On bad days, she specifically sought closeness to him in the evenings, more than usual. That's when he knew she had a hard day.

Such days worried him, but he also knew that it was normal that after withdrawal people weren't immediately healed and no longer had any problems. It was a daily battle and he was proud of Avery for staying so strong.

“I didn’t doubt that. She had always been determined. When she starts something, she wants to finish it”, Celine said with a proud smile. She looked at the heavily tattooed biker with sincere gratitude. “You are a great help to her and I am grateful for that. Just promise me you won't let the same thing happen to you that happened to Ope. I don’t think Avery wouldn't survive loosing another person she deeply cares about.”

The smile on Celine's lips faded, resigned sad lines now formed on her face. “Ian's death anniversary is next month.”

“I can’t promise anything, Avery knows that. But I don’t plan on dying soon.” Happy was silent for a long moment. The thing with Ope sat still deep, still causing a dull pain in every single club memberᅳ of course also in him.

And yes, anything could happen to any of them. No day was truly safe as long as he wore his kutte on his shoulders, which he would never give up voluntarily. He had sworn loyalty to the club, he would die for the club just like every ofher memberᅳ but of course he hoped it wouldn't come to that, especially because of Debbie and Avery. He had something that gave him a reason to be careful and stay alive. He had a family.

His usually stoic gaze softened as he looked into Celine's watery eyes. “I'm really sorry about the thing with Ian, no parent should have to go through something like that.”

His chest became heavy and his throat tightened uncomfortably as he thought of something like this happening to Debbie. To be honest, he didn't know how he would cope, if he even had the will and strength to go on without his little girl. It was a horrible, frightening thought.

“Thank you, Happy”, Celine smiled bravely and took a deep breath. She hadn't planned on getting so emotional in front of her daughter's boyfriend. “What I actually wanted to say was; please don't leave her alone that day. I know you're a busy man and the club needs you. But please stay with her that day or take her with you. Whatever, just don’t let her out of your sight.”

“I won’t”, he said, his tone serious, and stuck one of the toothpicks that were lying in a small bowl at the table between his lips. “Even though I may not look like it, I would do anything for your daughter. I think you should know that.”

He tapped the table with the palm of his hand before standing up. As he wanted to leave the kitchen, Celine stopped him again by standing up and grabbing his arm, which she let go of once she had his attention.

“I know that, Happy. I see how she looks at you and how you look at her. This is true love without a doubt.” Happy nodded appreciatively as her gaze remained on him, a soft smile on her lips.

“You wanted to go out with Avery tonight. How about I leave early with Debbie? I wanted to spend some time with Lyla anyway and you can get things done in peace”, the Dvorak woman suggested. She was really enjoying spending with Debbie anyway and wouldn't mind.

“You don't mind having her all day and night?” Happy asked, still a little skeptical. It wasn't easy for him to trust others, but he really wanted to try. For Averyᅳ because he knew how important her mother was to her.

Celine waved her hand reassuringly and shook her head. “Not at all, I would be happy. I can pick her up from kindergarten later and take her with me to Lyla and the kids.”

Happy hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. The thought of being able to spend the day preparing Debbie's surprise and then spending the evening with his Old Lady was tempting.

“Okay, it's fine with me. You can call us any time”, he emphasized, but he was still nervous to leave his daughter with someone other than Avery and him for the first time in a long time.

ᚔ

Still stunned by what had happened less than an hour ago, Avery stumbled through the door with two large grocery bags balanced in her arms, which she had finally gotten open after a small struggle without really having free hands. Her new employment contract was stuck between the shopping bags.

“I'm home!” Her gentle yet excited voice echoed through the house and lured Happy inside from the garden.

“Hey babe”, he placed a kiss on her lips after walking towards her and took off one of the gloves to brush a strand of her hair out of her pretty face. “Why didn’t you say something? I could've helped.”

“I know, but the bags weren't too heavy so it's fine.” She waved her hand and pulled out her employment contract from the bags. “I have the job!”

Not surprised at all but still pleased, he pulled his Old Lady close and kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss for a moment before grinning down at her. Pride clearly visible in his eyes.

“I knew you would get it. Well deserved, little girl”, he said approvingly while running the tip of his thumb along her jawline.

“But without your support I would never have gotten this farᅳ so, thank you, baby”, she whispered timidly against his lips, from which she stole another kiss and sighed contentedly. “Looks like we have another reason to go out tonight and celebrate a little.”

“I would go out with you for no reason any time, just so you know”, he winked, then he gently squeezed her hip, on which his hand rested. “By the way, your mom went to Lyla’s with Debbie.”

“Will the two of them come back before we leave later?”, the redhead asked, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Happy shook his head. “No. Means you have enough time to get ready and I’ll take care of the climbing frame.”

Curious about how far Happy was with Debbie's surprise, she got on her tiptoes and glanced over his shoulder. Through the kitchen door she could see into the living room and therefore out into the garden.

“It looks almost finished. Damn, you're fast”, she marveled. If she had done it, it would probably have taken her days to finish. “Does Debbie know about this yet?”

“Well, that’s a good thing, now I can set up the swing too.” What he actually had planned for tomorrow. But if he could do it today, Debbie could already play with it tomorrow.

Then he shook his head. “No, she doesn’t know about it yet. That's why Celine left with herᅳ so she wouldn't see anything about it until it was finished.”

“You trust my mom”, Avery stated with an appreciative smile. “You’re not leaving Debbie to anyone but the club, your mom, or me.”

“She’s your mom”, Happy replied with a shrug. But Avery was right, he hardly trusted anyone to take care of Debbie.

“And? If my dad showed up, you wouldn’t give him Debbie. That means you trust my mom”, the redhead countered skillfully and placed her hands on his chest. “Could it be that you and my mom had a conversation earlier?”

“Because your dad is a total asshole”, he huffed, becoming silent for a moment before rolling his eyes in amusement. “She told you.”

Avery ignored the comment about her father, Happy was right. She shrugged with a sweet smile on her lips. “Perhaps? But hey, I think it’s great!”

The fact that Happy really tried to do everything right with her mom and even partially opened up to her meant a lot to her. In this way, Happy showed her once again that he loved her without having to say it.

“Okay, I’ll get back to work”, he grumbled, leaned down again and placed a kiss on her forehead before pointing to the employment contract that was now lying on the surface of the kitchen counter. “I’m proud of you, little girl.”

“Thanks”, Avery replied sheepishly, her cheeks blushing in a soft pink.

Then she watched him until he disappeared back into the garden before she took care of putting away the groceries.

Hearing from Happy that he was proud of her did a lot to her. It made her heart beat faster and simply brought her joy. She also was proud of herself for the first time in forever.

ᚔ

The tight, black dress hugged Avery's slim body perfectly, but still showed the right curves to drive Happy crazy. He slowly let his gaze slide over her body, enjoying every second of the view. After all, it wasn't every day that she stood in front of him in a skin-tight, black dress that ended at the middle of her thighs and still showed enough leg. Her feet in dark red, velvet high heels. A simple clutch in the same color as the shoes resting in one of her hands.

Her long, ginger colored  hair fell in waves over her shoulders and framed her beautiful face. Apart from mascara and dark red lipstick, she didn't wear any make-up, which in Happy's eyes she didn't need. Still, the thought of feeling her plump, dark red lips wrapped around his dick did cross his mind.

He quickly adjusted his pants and cleared his throat before stepping towards his Old Lady, letting a hand rest on her small waist, lust shining in his eyes.

“You look fuckin' hot”, he rasped against her ear, giving her goosebumps. “How am I supposed to concentrate on anything else for the rest of the night?”

“Mhmm..you don’t look bad either. And who knows, maybe I'll have a surprise for you later”, she purred against his ear and placed a tender kiss against the corner of his mouth after pulling her head back a little.

Grinning, he looked at her, rubbing the bare skin on her waist with his thumb, which he could easily reach through the cut outs on her dress. “Can’t wait for that, little girl.”

“Me neither”, she winked seductively before slipping her hand into his, also slipping her fingers between his, her gaze wandering over his body.

It was unusual to see him dressed more “elegant”. But instead of a simple shirt and his kutte, he wore a black flannel shirt and darker jeans than usual. His boots were replaced by others that weren't so worn out.

Once again, Avery realized that she had definitely landed the right one. For her taste, there was no man more attractive than Happy and that would never change.

“Weird to see you like this”, she hummed contentedly. “But I love it.”

“Well, you won't see me like this often”, he smirked, walking outside with her before closing the door behind him.

He wasn't one to wear a suit, probably not even at his own wedding. But he also wanted to look a little more formal tonight for Avery's sake and even though he wasn't into the luxury stuff, which he knew Avery wasn't either, he still wanted to take her out to a nicer restaurant. Once or twice a year he was able to force himself to step out of his comfort zone.

In any case, he would enjoy the evening with his Old Lady and think about something other than his everyday worries. And she could finally relax a little, too.