TESSA SMILED DOWN at her son who was happily walking beside her after they got out of the car, holding her hand as always while Baxter followed them. As they entered the clubhouse and Sawyer spotted Abel, the five-year-old looked up at his mother.

"Can I play with Abel, mommy?", he asked sweetly.

"Sure, go. But stay close, we'll be leaving soon", Tessa explained, ruffling his hair.

"Okay!" And gone he was, faster than the wind.

Once Sawyer was gone, Baxter took off too to look for Tig, knowing exactly the man would spoil him with extra treats.

The Laney woman shook her head with a soft chuckle as the two boys greeted each other with a big hug before disappearing around the corner, mischief shining in their eyes.

"The older they get, the more mischief they have on their minds. I wonder what they're up to now." Gemma wrapped her arms around Tessa before placing her hands on her hips, proudly looking down at the small baby bump before her eyes met Tessa's again. "How are you, baby?"

"Yeah, I think we've got a lot to come", Tessa said confidently, sucking her teeth. At Gemma's question, her lips curled into a smile, gently rubbing a hand over her belly. "He or she was pretty active last night. I can feel all the movements better everyday."

"This is the best phase. I loved feeling Jax and Thomas growing inside me." Gemma hummed wistfully at the memories, folding her arms. "You have an appointment today, right?"

Tessa nodded, her eyes full of excitement and anticipation. "Yep, in an hour. We're just waiting for Happy and then we'll leave. I really hope we'll finally find out what it's going to be."

"Jax, Happy and Quinn should be back soon", Gemma told her, grinning forebodingly. "I have a good feeling about todayᅳ I'm think we can finally throw the baby shower soon."

Tessa snorted a laugh. "You really can't wait to finally organize the party, huh?"

"You know me, sweetheart", the matriarch winked, bumping her shoulder against Tessa's. "If I can't organize a party every few weeks, I'm not happy."

Three months had passed since Cal's death, three months in which Tessa had felt complete inner peace. Without constant worry, Happy and Tessa could simply enjoy family time with Sawyer, knowing that there was no one else out there anymore wanting to hurt her or the five-year-old.

But in those three months, the baby had not yet decided to show itself, almost driving the couple crazy. Happy tried not to show how impatient he was when it came to finally finding out if he was going to have a son or a daughter, but Tessa noticed how tense and expectant he was at every appointment they had, his eyes permanently fixed on the screen.

Then the slight disappointment in his eyes every time there was no news about the gender. Still, both were happy to hear that the baby was healthy, a normal size and had a strong heartbeatᅳ that was really all that mattered.

But maybe, without getting their hopes up too much, they would find out today whether Sawyer was going to have a sister or a brother.

"Tess!" Juice threw his hand up in the air and waved the young woman over. "I've got something for you."

"I'll be right there", Tessa called back, turning to Gemma again. "We'll definitely let you know when we have any news."

"Well, I hope so", Gemma scoffed with an amused shake of her head. "Okay, go. I have to make lunch for the kids anyway."

"See you later!" Tessa watched Gemma for the kitchen before she sauntered over to the table where Juice and Chibs were sitting, her platform boots sounding dull against the old wooden floorboards. "Hey guys!"

"Hey, lass." Chibs looked up from his newspaper, giving the woman a warm smile. "I heard we might find out more about t' gender today?"

"Maybe", Tessa replied with a chuckle as she could hear the anticipation in Chibs' tone. "But I can't promise anything. Tell the little pumpkin in there to show him- or herself", she added in a duh tone, pointing at her belly with her manicured fingernail.

"All right." His grin stretching from ear to ear, Chibs leaned forward, his face now hovering in front of Tessa's belly. "Hey wee baby, it would be nice if ye' finally showed yourself so we can buy ye' some nice things for t' room yer' parents are plannin'."

"I bet that really helped", Juice mocked with a grin, earning a slap against the back of his neck from the Scotsman, causing the Puerto Rican to rub the burning spot.

"Aye, shut up and focus on what yer' good at, Juicy boy", Chibs said with a laugh, waving his hand in front of Juice' laptop. "Show her what ye' found."

"That was my plan", the younger one of them muttered. Turning his laptop so that Tessa could also see the screen, Juice hoped he had finally found the right woman. "That's all I found. Your momᅳ  not easy to find, I tell you."

"But that's her, definitely", Tessa confirmed the moment she saw the picture that appeared on the screen, nodding to herself. "I once found an old box, there were also pictures of my mom in itᅳ she didn't age a day, wow", she breathed out.

"Are ye' okay?" Chibs' thick Scottish accent was filled with concern as he noticed Tessa's uncertain, thoughtful expression. "Just because Juice found her doesn't mean ye' have t' contact her, lass."

"I know", Tessa assured the man before taking a deep breath, holding the air in her lungs for a moment before exhaling loudly. "I want to see her, I want Sawyer to meet his grandmaᅳ it's just a little overwhelming to actually know where she lives now."

"I can print everything out for you and you just decide what you want to do", Juice suggested with a smile, taking a sip of his Coke.

"That would be nice, Juice, thanks." Running her fingers through her chin-length hair, the Laney woman leaned back with knitted eyebrows, sharing a look with the two men. "What would you do? Wait until the baby is here or just visit her right away?"

"I don't know, never was in such a situation", Chibs answered honestly, clearly seeing the conflict in Tessa's eyes. "Do what feels right, lass. And talk t' Hap, ask him what he thinks."

"Yeah, I think you have to listen to your gut feeling in that case", Juice agreed with an eager nod. "Besides, she lives in Texas, which isn't exactly around the corner."

"I mean, it's about a three-hour flight, that's okay", Tessa thought out loud, chewing on her lip while rubbing her thumb gently against her bump when she felt a kick. "Shit, that's really not an easy decision."

"Like I said, it's not a decision ye' have t' make right away", Chibs said lovingly, patting the young woman's hand. "And no matter what ye' decide, Hap's goin' t' be there for ye'."

Juice beamed at the young woman, trying his best to support her too, just like everyone else here. "And so are we."

"That's why I love you all", Tessa chirped as the nervousness, knowing she had so much support, slowly dissipated.

The raven-haired girl thanked Juice once again before they started a lighthearted conversation until Happy came back.

ᅳ

SKILLFULLY AND SMOOTHLY, the doctor moved the ultrasound probe over Tessa's belly, trying to find out what the couple and the little boy were waiting for.

"I think I have something", the woman, probably in her late thirties, murmured with concentration before nodding contentedly, stopping her hand movements. "Yes, here it is. It seems your little one is finally no longer shy."

"Really?" Happy's eyes grew, as did the grin on his face while his hand was still resting on his Old Lady's shoulder.

Tessa looked up at her boyfriend in amusement, her heart swelling as she saw the absolute joy shining in his eyes. "I knew you were the most impatient one of us."

"That's not true", he grumbled, meeting her gaze with a crooked grin. "Maybe a little."

Tessa just snorted a laugh, placing a hand over his before wincing slightly as Sawyer suddenly jumped up, his little legs carrying him to the three adults.

"Jesus, Sawyer", Tessa murmured, chuckling, but the boy was far too distracted to concentrate on anything right now.

"Am I getting a sister or a brother?", he asked, unable to keep still. Instead, he jumped up and down, drawing laughter from the others.

The doctor shared a look with the parents, waiting for permission to tell Sawyer before she looked back at the boy, smiling. "You're getting a little sister, at least that's what it looks like so far."

"A sister?!" Squealing, Sawyer spun around to face his parents. "Did you hear that? I knew it! I knew it would be a girl!"

"Yeah, you were right, buddy", Happy chuckled, ruffling Sawyer's hair before looking back at Tessa, her eyes shining with tears of joy, pure pride flashing in his own eyes.

"Told you we were having a girl", he murmured against her lips after leaning down to kiss her, slowly running his fingers through her hair. "You okay, baby?"

"Yeah, more than okay", she whispered happily against his lips, her gaze falling on Sawyer before she pulled the boy closer by his wrist. "I already know that you're going to be the best big brother, baby."

"I wanna see her, mommy," he said excitedly, climbing onto the lounger with his mom. "When can I hold her?"

Happy tried to stop him, but the doctor stopped him with her next words. "We're done anyway, he can stay up there. Congratulations on the baby girl!"

"Thanks." With a big smile, Tessa sat up after Happy took over and wiped the gel from her stomach with a cloth. "Now Gemma can organize her party and we can finally design the nursery."

Sure, they could've gone for neutral colors, but Tessa just wanted to add more character. As much as she loved black, which any blind person could see, she wanted some color in her children's rooms.

"Can I help with the room?" Sawyer asked with his best puppy eyes look as he climbed into Tessa's lap. "I can paint the walls!"

"Sure you can help, I was hoping you want to", Happy croaked as he scooped Sawyer into his arms so Tessa could get properly dressed. "How about we check out the hardware store for some paint tomorrow, sounds good?"

"Yes please! That'll be so cool, daddy" the boy exclaimed enthusiastically.

Happy shot Tessa a questioning look, standing right by her side in case she needed help. "Okay for mom too?"

"Yeah, sure. How about you go to the hardware store and drop me off at the furniture store first?", she suggested with a sheepish smile.

That way Happy and Sawyer could have their father/son day, like every week, and she could look around for furniture for the baby. Maybe also some clothes already and everything else they'd need.

"Sounds good to me", the SAA grunted contentedly, helping Tessa off the high lounger. Even with her platform boots, she still wasn't the tallest.

The little family waited for the ultrasound pictures and what the doctor had to say before they left and made a quick stop at their favorite Chinese restaurant before they headed back home, wanting to enjoy the great weather in their garden.

ᅳ

TESSA SHOVED A HANDFUL of chips in her mouth while her eyes were fixed on the TV screen, one of her favorite horror movies playing. It was weird but since she was pregnant, she enjoyed horror movies even more than before.

Baxter was next to her, his head resting on her stomach as always since she got pregnantᅳ this was his way of showing how protective he already was over the unborn baby.

Happy only watched his Old Lady out of the corner of his eye, every now and then a grin forming on his lips when she shoved another handful of chips in her mouth or swept crumbs from her stomach with her hand, sending them to the floor.

"Isn't that the second pack today?" Happy lifted an eyebrow as the empty bag landed on the table, earning an innocent look from his girlfriend.

"Well, I'm really craving chips right now. If I didn't have at least a little self-control left, I'd eat a lot more of them", she explained with a sweet smile. "Sorry baby."

"As long as you eat other things too", the SAA muttered with smirk, running a hand up and down her legs which were still placed over his lap. "We need a name for the baby."

"Yeah, I know", Tessa hummed thoughtfully, running through the list she'd made mentally over the past few months. "I've got a few in mind. Do you have any ideas?"

"Just one or two." Happy shrugged his shoulders, watching her curiously. "Tell me yours."

"Wellᅳ I've had a lot of ideas." Full of enthusiasm, Tessa dug her palms into the cushions and pushed herself up, sitting back down cross-legged right next to Happy, who turned to face her, his arm splayed across the back of the couch. "But I've narrowed it down to three namesᅳ Summer, Harper and Willow."

"I like Summer", Happy grunted in less than a second, his personal decision made immediately.

Both of Tessa's eyebrows shot up in surprise as a soft laugh slipped past her lips. "Well, that was quickᅳ but Summer is actually my favorite too."

"So..it's Summer then?", Happy asked with a grin, running his fingertips along Tessa's arm, drawing a pleasant sigh from her. "I mean, we can always change our minds if we come up with something else."

"No, I think Summer is the name." Curiously, she tilted her head as she placed her hand against Happy's cheek, enjoying the feeling of his beard scratching against her palm. "What were your ideas?"

"Jane. The name just popped up in my mind at some point", he explained, shrugging. "Kind of liked it."

"Jane", Tessa repeated in a whisper, her head resting on his arm as she remained silent for a moment. A smile danced on her lips as she lowered her hand to slide her fingers between his. "What do you think about a double name? Summer Jane. A middle name can't hurt and I think it sounds great."

Looking down at their hands, Happy lifted a corner of his mouth, considering the name. However, once again, his decision was made quickly. "I like it, sounds good."

"Perfect. Looks like our little pumpkin finally has a name!" Tessa looked down at her belly, full of pride. To finally see something, to see and feel that a life was growing inside her again, this time without her having to be afraid of being all alone, was an amazing feeling. "Sawyer and Summerᅳ they go well together."

"I love you, little girl", the man rasped out of nowhere, causing the woman he loved more than anything to look up in awe.

Happy didn't say it often, instead he preferred to show her how much he loved her, but now was just one of those right times. "You and our kids. Thank you for giving me all this."

And that's it, her hormones failed again. Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart swelling with love as she climbed onto Happy's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Her forehead resting against his, she brushed his lips with hers. "I love you, too. And I have to thank you. You gave me what I've always dreamed ofᅳ a healthy relationship, kids, a home. I don't need more."

"One day I'll marry you, just so you know", he croaked, with a hint of a smile, against her lips, claiming them before she could even give him an answer.

Tessa wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, her body snuggled against his, the kiss filled with nothing but love and devotion.

"And I'll say yes, just so you know", she whispered back, the happiest smile crossing her features.

She wouldn't mention that Juice had found her mom until tomorrow, tonight was their night, no one else's.

word count; 2690