OF COURSE, AS EXPECTED, Gemma immediately organized a baby shower after she got the news that Happy and Tessa were having a girl. Which is why the little family was on their way to the clubhouse after Gemma finally gave them the go after she and Happy had been banned from entering the clubhouse since yesterday evening.

In her old BMW, which she still refused to give away even though Happy had tried several times to convince her to get a new car now that they would soon have two children, she followed Happy, who was on his bike, onto the lot.

And she was not disappointed. The Laney woman didn't even have to go inside first for her jaw to drop. Since the weather was nice and the sun was out, with only a few clouds hanging in the sky, the party was apparently taking place outside.

As she felt the heat literally sticking to her skin, Tessa was glad she had chosen her black platform sandals and only a dress with spaghetti straps and made of thin, black linen fabric that accentuated her cleavage and became looser towards the bottom, showing all her tattoos since her legs weren't covered much.

The picnic tables were used for the food. Tessa didn't see exactly what it was yet, but there were definitely enough bowls of salads and other things ready to feed an army for three days.

Bobby was already standing at the grill, definitely in his element as he flipped the meat. The smell of grilled steak and burgers that came with it wafted through the air as she parked her car and let the aroma fill her nostrils.

"Everything's pink!" Sawyer giggled as he fumbled with his seatbelt and finally climbed out of his seat. "I'm hungry, mommy!"

"You wanted a sister, now you're getting everything in pink", Tessa joked as she also unbuckled herself, turned around and lovingly pinched the bridge of Sawyer's nose. "I'm sure Bobby's gonna give you a burger if you ask nicely."

"I can live with pink if I get a sister in return", the five-year-old chirped with a shrug of his shoulders, his dimples showing as he smiled. "I'll ask him! Can I get out already?"

"Sure baby", Tessa nodded as she quickly threw her phone and car keys into her bag on the passenger seat after turning off the engine before she glanced in the rearview mirror to check on her make up.

Besides a little mascara and eyeliner, she wore just matte red lipstick, her chin-length hair perfectly styled as always. The two red streaks she had gotten recently, one on each side, matched the rest of the look perfectly.

Finally slipping out of her car, she was immediately greeted by Happy as he was strolling towards her.

"Ready for this, baby?", he asked with a small grin, one hand resting on her hip while he took his sunglasses off with the other, hooking it to the collar of his grey shirt. "It's going to be a long day."

"More than ready! And there's plenty of food", she said with a grin, earning a chuckle from Happy while he just shook his head.

"As long as there's food, you seem to be happy", he stated matter-of-factly as he closed the door behind Sawyer from which the five-year-old had slipped out.

"Well, that's life with a pregnant woman, suck it up", the raven-haired girl chirped, followed by a quiet squeal as Happy's palm collided with her ass as he gave it a swift smack. "Not in front of everyone, baby!"

"Like I give a shit", he rasped against her ear as he repeated his action, a smirk forming on his lips as he watched Tessa bite her lip. "Later, you'll be mine anyway."

"We'll see", Tessa replied with a cheeky smile, grinning widely as Happy gave her a warning look that definitely didn't scare herᅳ not in that context.

"There you are!" Gemma greeted them both with a fleeting but firm hug. "Took you a while."

"Huh? You told us not to come here." Rolling her eyes with a smile, Tessa returned the soft pressure of Gemma's hug before the matriarch gently smacked her arm with the back of her hand.

"Don't be a bitch", she shot back, clearly amused. "Everyone's waiting already. Oh, by the way, I don't think you'll need to buy anything for the baby yourself after today."

Tessa's eyes widened as Gemma pointed to another additional table stacked with bags and gift boxes. "We told you not to buy anything!"

"And you really thought they would listen?" Happy asked with a lifted eyebrow, snaking his arm around her shoulder. "I thought you knew us better by now."

"I do", she said with a pout, slapping his abs with the back of her hand. "Don't say stuff like that."

"Get your hormones under control, woman", he grumbled, followed by a raspy laugh. Of course he didn't mean what he said and Tessa knew it.

"Oh shut up", she muttered under her breath as Gemma watched the little teasing with amusement.

"You can argue later after the party!" With a clap of her hands, Gemma shooed them towards the rest of the group. "Now, have some fun!"

"Aye, there ye' are!" Chibs threw his arms around Happy in a brotherly hug, slapping his back before pulling Tessa into a much gentler embrace. "Congratulations on t' girl, kinda had a feelin'."

"She's going to be spoiled terribly, I hope you know that?" Tig snickered, the next to hug the two. "After all, the little princess in there is the first girl born into the club after Ellie."

"That means I'll finally have someone I can do girl's stuff with!" Ellie shot forward and wrapped her arms around Tessa from the side, snuggling up to the woman who became like an aunt to her and her brothers. "I can give her all my old dolls and dresses!"

Tessa looked down in awe at the girl who seemed to be getting older every day. The now thirteen-year-old was just as sweet as she was when Tessa first met her. And since Lyla was her best friend, along with Tara, the Laney woman spent a lot of time with Ellie, Kenny and Piper.

"That would be really sweet of you", Tessa said sincerely, placing a kiss on the top of Ellie's head as she wrapped her arms around the girl as well. "Hap and I will give you some money for the stuff to top up your pocket money", she added with a wink, keeping her voice low.

"But not too much, she has to learn to manage her money", Lyla chimed in, walking up to her best friend with a soft laugh. "Last time she spent all her pocket money in one day and then was annoyed that she had nothing left."

"Well, sounds like you're not giving her enough, doll", Tig teased the blonde only to get slapped on the arm by Lyla.

"What is it with you women always hitting us?" Happy asked, his hand placed on his Old Lady's lower back. "Why are y'all so aggressive?"

"Because you guys just say stupid things all the time", she said with an amused snort. "You'll survive."

"Ah, there you are." With his infamous Teller grin, Jax came out of the clubhouse, Tara close behind him with Thomas in her arms while Abel immediately ran towards Sawyer.

"A girl, huh? You'll have a lot of fun with that later, especially when boys come along", Jax teased, shooting Happy an amused look. "And you can't kill 'em all, Hap."

"She will have absolutely no fun with boys until she's eighteen", Happy grunted from the side, his look giving away that he was absolutely serious. "If not longer."

Tara chuckled quietly. "As if you could stop a teenager from datingᅳ they're smart."

"Not smart enough to fool me", the SAA grumbled, seeming not amused at all at the thought of his daughter dating some guy.

Tessa scratched her eyebrow with a chuckle. "Don't scare him or he won't let her do shit once she's old enough."

"And even that can't stop a determined teenager", Tara answered with a smirk.

"Looks like ye' know what yer' talkin' about, doc." Chibs nudged Tara's shoulder with a warm grin, earning one from her in return, before rubbing his hands together. "Alright, say hello t' the rest so we can finally have some of Bobby's amazin' burgers!"

"Hurry up before the two rascals ate everything", Bobby shouted amused, pointing with his spatula at the two boys who were happily nibbling on their burgers and giggling at his words.

"Good idea, I'm getting hungry", Tessa said eagerly as she ran a hand over her belly. "Eating for two is getting really tiring."

"It'll be over soon, girl, then we can finally share a few shots behind the bar again", Lyla chirped excitedly before running a hand over Tessa's belly as well, lowering her voice. "But take your time, your mommy looks good being pregnant."

"She does", Happy agreed with a smirk, his grip on Tessa's hip becoming more assertive as he pulled her back against his chest, his lips close to her ear. "Fuckin' hard to keep my hands off you, little girl."

A soft giggle slipped past Tessa's lips as she turned to him and placed her palms against his chest, rubbing them against his shirt as she bit her lower lip, feeling the heat rise between her legs.

"I'll be all yours later", she whispered seductively, keeping her gaze on his dark eyes.

A deep growl rattled through his throat, his breath brushing her skin before he pulled her into a fleeting but passionate kiss. "You bet, woman," he slapped her ass again, grinning. "That cute ass will be all mine later."

"Jesus, get a room", Juice murmured as he reached the two of them, grinning at the couple. "Although Gemma will rip your heads off if you leave now", he added with a chuckle.

"We would never risk that." Smiling sweetly, Tessa turned away from Happy and wrapped her arms around Juice' neck, giggling as he lifted her up and put her down again a moment later. "Man, you guys can still lift a pregnant woman off the ground without any problem."

"You haven't gained much weight, girl", Tara huffed after passing Thomas to Jax. "With Thomas, I was already much heavier in the second trimester."

"And you couldn't tell", Jax winked, charming as ever as he casually draped an arm around Tara's shoulder. "And beautiful as ever."

Tara's eyebrow shot up as she gave him an 'oh yeah, really?' look. "You were inside at the time and you saw me how often? Once a month?"

"Ouch", Jax put a hand to his chest, feigning e hurt. "I was inside but I wasn't blind, babe."

The rumble of laughter echoed across the grounds, making the relaxed atmosphere even more pleasant. Tessa smiled to herself as she watched the group engaging in lighthearted conversations as they all found their seats.

She may not have had a family her whole life, but now she had a bunch of people around her that she loved dearly, people that cared about Sawyer and herᅳ like a real family.

ᅳ

THE SUN HUNG ALREADY lower in the sky and the heat had thankfully subsided as everyone sat and stood around the largest table while Tessa and Happy unwrapped all the presents. After teh barbeque and playing a few games that Lyla, Gemma and Tara had organized, the two were practically forced to finally unwrap everything.

From baby clothes, stuffed animals to bottles and even the first toys, everything was there, all of it piled up on the table in front of Happy and Tessa.

"You guys are crazy", the Laney woman gasped as Happy opened the last present.

A baby bouncer, still in the box, was revealed after Happy had completely removed all of the pink wrapping paper. A deep chuckle left his throat as his Old Lady slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes filled with pure happiness.

"Happy told us that you saw one just like that in the store a few weeks ago and had a hard time leaving it behind", Jax told her, placing a hand on Tessa's shoulder to squeeze it. "We know you guys are still paying off Maria's and your hospital bill and you have enough expenses right now anyway."

"But it was really expensive", Tessa pointed out as she looked up at the blonde, sighing as she bit her lower lip.

"That's why we all paid for it", Tig winked at her with a smile, sitting at the other end of the table, leisurely sipping his beer. "When it comes to kids, money is no object for us."

"No seriously, thanks guys", Happy said sincerely. Even though he hadn't expected anything else, after all he knew his brothers, he was visibly grateful. "We are grateful for every gift."

He would never admit that things were tight at the moment, that he was sometimes afraid that he would no longer be able to feed his family. But at the moment he was only earning money from the club and that meant he had to pay all the monthly bills with that money only and at the same time save for the birth because he still refused to use Tessa's salary for stuff he should take care of.

He was the one who wanted to provide for his family, and he would continue to do so, his ego way too big to have it any other way.

"Does that mean that if I want something, I just have to tell you?" Abel lifted his head and dropped his crayon, looking around in confusion as everyone suddenly burst into laughter. "What's so funny? That's what Uncle Tiggy said!"

Now Sawyer's eyes widened too, mischief shining in them. "Oh, we can ask them for water pistols, we need new ones!"

"Boys, you always get what you want anyway, you don't need more stuff at the moment." Gemma appeared behind the boys and ruffled their hair before she looked at everyone. "By the way, I have an idea I wanted to share with all of you."

"Oh God, here we go." Everyone shot Tig an amused look, except for Gemma, who just glared at him.

"What does that mean?", she snapped at him, her hands braced against her hips. "You got a problem, Tiggy?"

"Me? Never", the man replied with a smile like the charmer he was, taking a swig of his beer. "Go on, tell us about your idea, Gem, we're all excited to hear what it is."

The matriarch just snorted and shook her head, but then simply ignored the man with the dark curls and allowed her lips to curl into a smile. "How about we go camping in the woods for a few days? Nero has a friend who has a cabin in Somerset, we could rent it for a few days."

All eyes were on Gemma, not sure if she was joking or not. Chibs was the first to speak up, some concern in his tone. "Camping in t' woods? Ye', Gemma Teller-Morrow? Should we be worried, sweetheart?"

"Why?" Gemma asked with a scoff. Apparently no one here knew how adventurous she could be. "Scared to be alone with me in the woods for a few days?"

Jax let out a laugh as he wrapped his arms around Tara from behind. "To be honest, yes."

The woman in her fifties chuckled. "Shut up, no one was talking to you."

"Real camping? With tents and stuff?" Tara pulled a face, even though she tried to see the fun in it. "Or how many can sleep in the cabin?"

"You're really not a nature person, are you?" Tessa asked with a snicker when she saw her friend's suddenly pale face, while the kids were already cheering.

"I wanna go camping!" Sawyer ran around the table and towards his parents, squeezing himself between them on the bench. He gave them his best puppy eyes through his glasses, smiling sweetly. "Can we, pleeease?!"

"It's not just our decision, buddy", Happy chuckled as he ruffled his son's hair before shrugging his shoulders, looking at the others. "I'm in", his dark eyes locked with Tessa's. "What do you say, baby?"

"Oh, I'm in too, I love camping", she said enthusiastically after pulling Sawyer onto her lap, cuddling the five-year-old. "That would be our first real family trip!"

Lyla didn't have to think long when she saw the smiles on Ellie's, Piper's and Kenny's faces. "We're coming too! Is there enough space for everyone?"

"Well, if we all really go, it'll be tight, but it's doable", Gemma explained with a hum. "We'll just move closer together or take tents with us."

Bobby snorted a laugh at the woman who was standing almost next to him. "Gemma, with all due respect, but I don't believe that you, out of all people, would sleep in a tent."

Gemma's eyebrows shot up in amusement. "Who says I'm gonna be the one sleeping in a tent?"

"She'd rather kick all our asses out of the cabin before Ma sleeps in a damn tent", Jax said with a grin, only stating facts, earning a snort from Gemma. But the woman just smirked at his words instead of answering.

"I think it's a good idea", Chibs nodded, slamming his hand on the table. "Let's go camping!"

"I'm all for it", Juice agreed with his wide smile, probably more excited than the kids.

Tig raised his bottle, nodding contentedly. "Yep, I'm also in."

"Tara?" Gemma's questioning gaze landed on the doctor, the younger woman still not visibly enthusiastic.

"Fine", Tara grumbled eventually, after all she had no other choice. "Let me know exactly when so I can let my patients know in advance."

"I can do that, baby", the matriarch nodded before sealing the deal and shooting the kids a wink. "Seems like we'll go camping soon."

"Yay! I can't wait", Sawyer exclaimed, his eyes shining with pure joy.

Abel also joined in the conversation, full of excitement. "We'll collect lots of sticks and make a campfire."

"And then we'll make smores, and go swimming and hiking", Ellie chimed in with the widest smile everyone has ever seen on the girl's face.

The adults just shook their heads and laughed before continuing the conversation from before, the mood even better now as the sun hung lower and cast a golden glow over the property.

When Sawyer was back at a table with the other kids, Tessa slowly began to put all the presents in a large bag that Gemma had given her earlier, a smile forming on her lips as Happy wrapped his arm around her from behind.

"Do we have everything for the baby now?", he asked in a rasp, rubbing his thumb against her hip.

"Yeah, I think so." There was a shimmer in Tessa's eyes as she looked up at her Old Man. It wasn't often that people saw complete satisfaction in the Tacoma Killer's eyes, which made her enjoy it all the more. "Should we really keep the name to ourselves until the baby's here?"

Happy nodded with a small grin. "Yeah, in case we change our minds."

"We won't", Tessa chirped determinedly, smiling sweetly. "But okay, we'll wait."

"Good." While Happy handed her the things one by one, something else occurred to him. "Have you tried to reach your mom yet?"

A few days ago, Tessa had told him that Juice had found out the number and address. He could see what a conflict his Old Lady was in, constantly wondering whether she should actually call the woman or not.

"I don't know", she admitted with a sigh. "I'm just still unsure. But after our little trip, I wanna make a decision."

"Take your time, little girl." Normally he was the one who preferred to get things sorted out right away with his stubborn ass, but in this case he wanted to give Tessa the time she needed.

Tessa looked up at him again with one of her beautiful smiles. "Thanks baby."

It wasn't long before the little family headed home, a trunk full of new things for the baby and two large food containers filled with pink cupcakes, salads and meat that would easily last for the next two days.

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