EVERYONE IN THE HALLWAY was so quiet you could've heard a pin drop as everyone stood there, waiting for someone to explain what was going on. Tessa was too speechless to even mutter a word, and the others said nothing because it wasn't their businessᅳ but everyone was still curious.

Wayne, always the one trying to smooth things out, held out his arms. "Why don't we sit down and talk about this?"

"You had one goddamn job, Wayne." With a snort, Gemma approached the old man to swat his arm with the back of her hand. "Why didn't you call me first before bringing her here?"

"She didn't give me a choice", Wayne defended himself, raising his hands vigorously. "Don't you think she has a right to be here?"

"Hey, what's this about?" Tessa's skepticism grew as she followed the brief conversation between Gemma and Wayne, her eyebrows furrowed in scrutiny. "What kind of job did he have, Gem?"

"Nothing, just forget it, baby", Gemma waved it off as she brushed a few strands of her bangs out of her eye with the tips of her fingers. "It's justᅳ"

"Stop it", Happy grunted, slowly letting his hand slip from Tessa's tailbone. Annoyed with himself, he rolled his toothpick over his lips before he ran a hand down his face, looking at his fiancée. "Gemma and I wanted to know who your mom was before you called her."

"Wait, what?" Tessa shook her head in disbelief, not sure why they'd do that. "Why?"

Gemma finally broke her silence too. "We hired Wayne to keep an eye on Elaine, to see if she would be good enough for you and Sawyer or if she'd just be a disappointment."

"Excuse me?" Clearly feeling insulted, Elaine took a step forward, her brown eyes wide with incomprehension. "I mean, I think it's nice that you care about my daughter, but that doesn't give you the right to decide whether I'm good enough for her or not."

"Yeah, I agree with her." Tessa backed away as Happy tried to grab her wrist. Maybe she was overreacting, but it just hurt her that he did such things behind her back. "Would you've tried to convince me not to contact her if she wouldn't have met your expectations?"

"No, that would still have been your decision, but at least I could've warned you", the SAA explained stubbornly, still convinced that they had done the right thingᅳ even if he should've told Tessa about it.

The Laney woman let out a bitter snort, rubbing her bump as she felt a soft kick to her ribs. "I told you she was a good person, for fucks sake! You could've just trusted me!"

"How long have you been in contact with her back then, huh?! A few weeks, months?" Happy shot forward, this time not letting himself be stopped from grabbing her wrist to pull her closer. "You and Sawyerᅳ"

"No, just stop!" Swallowing softly, Tessa pulled her wrist out of his grasp and ran her fingers through her black hair. "I need some fresh airᅳ and don't even think about following me", she told him firmly before shooting Gemma a pissed look. "And you neither."

"Tessa!" Calling after her didn't help either, she was out the door before he had even finished calling her name. Of course Happy was about to ignore her wishes and follow her, but Jax held him back by placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe it's better if you leave her alone for a while", he told his SAA, exchanging a look between Happy and Gemma, pointing a finger at both of them. "Not cool of you, really not cool."

"Aye, you should've told the lass", Chibs said with a sigh, shaking his head. "I'll check on her", he added as he pushed himself off the wall, ready to follow the twenty-three year old.

"No, I'll talk to her. That's why I'm here anyway." Elaine looked around, less than thrilled that this had all taken place behind her daughter's back. "And next time, you better be honest", her words were aimed directly at the tall man with the many tattoos and the woman with the blonde highlights. "It sucks to be lied to, just for your information."

"We haveᅳ" One of Gemma's perfectly shaped eyebrows shot up as Elaine simply left her standing there without listening to her any further. Something that Gemma Teller absolutely didn't like. But she was also a little impressed by the woman's fierceness. "Maybe she's not so bad after all."

"Wow, it's a wonder that that came from you", Tara sneered, her arms crossed over her chest. It was exactly these kinds of actions from Gemma that had caused constant conflicts back then, or most at least. "I really thought you had learned from your mistakes."

"Babe", Jax warned with peaceful intentions, letting out a sigh. "Come on, let's go check on the boys, maybe go for a hike with them", his gaze wandered to Happy, anything but enthusiasm on the man's grim face as he watched Elaine storm out of the cabin. "We're taking Sawyer with us, try to sort things out with Tessa."

"What do you think my plan is?" Happy asked with a huff, his mood even worse now that he had realized he'd simply gone a step too far. "I still don't trust her."

And who was he to wait for permission to check on his Old Lady? He would give the women time alone and keep his distance, but he would stay close and keep an eye on them until he was sure Elaine could be trustedᅳ which is why he left the cabin next, slamming the door behind him and making everyone else sigh.

ᅳ

THE LEAVES RUSTLED under Tessa's platform boots that reached almost to her knees, the squeak of the leather faintly audible with each step. Sighing deeply, she sat down on one of the benches, several of them placed in the forest and around the cabin.

Since the forest was a popular hiking spot, there were plenty of places to sit and sometimes even entire picnic tables with longer benches on either side for large families or friend groups.

Tessa listened to the wind softly blowing through the leaves of the trees and the chirping of the birds sitting in the treetops. With another sigh, she rolled her head back, her tattooed legs stretched out and her hands resting on her stomach as her mind raced.

Should she be angry at Happy and Gemma? Or appreciate that she had people around her who were genuinely worried about her? Living with someone like Michael for decades and never getting any kind of love or attention from her own father had naturally led to some issues, especially trust issues.

Tessa had simply gotten used to looking after herself and never expecting love and affection from others. Of course, that had changed with Sawyer, Maria, Happy and her new familyᅳ but she was still amazed and sometimes even overwhelmed by all the attention she was getting.

But Tessa wouldn't want it any other way, she enjoyed having a caring family. That's exactly why she was so disappointed that Happy didn't talk to her and did this behind her back.

"Hey." A gentle voice that belonged to none other than her mother sounded next to her, making her look up. A weak but caring smile played around the brunette woman's lips. "You mind if I sit down?"

Tessa slowly shook her head and sat up straight. After she slid across the wooden surface to make room for Elaine, the woman sat down immediately, but kept her distance and folded her hands in her lap.

Without realizing it, a small smile formed on Tessa's lips as she studied the woman with curiosity. Elaine was pretty and seemed peaceful. The warmth in her brown eyes radiated pure contentment and yet something so profound that Tessa couldn't interpretᅳ almost as if a deep pain was shimmering in the brown.

Her clothing style was not typical for a woman her age. Instead of being elegant or like one of those typical soccer moms, Elaine's style had a whimsical touch.

The brown, ankle-length skirt, a tight dark red top and a long, brown cardigan almost made her looked like a hippie, as if she was stuck in the seventies. Plus the long brown hair that fell down her back in waves made the whole picture perfect.

Tessa chuckled quietly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. At least she now knew what her father had seen in her mother; she was a real beauty who exuded a strong personality.

"What's so funny?" Elaine asked without prejudice, instead with a curious, crooked smile.

"Iᅳ I don't know, I never really knew how to imagine you even though I saw pictures of you", Tessa replied honestly, still smiling as she finally made eye contact with her mother. "I mean, you sounded cool back then, and you look pretty cool now too."

"Mh, I'll definitely take that as a compliment", the brunette winked and, with a small smirk, gently bumped her elbow against Tessa's. "You look pretty cool tooᅳ beautiful to be honest. That's exactly how I always imagined you."

"Yeah?" Tessa was surprised, but that was putting it mildly. Many people who didn't know her avoided her precisely because of her appearance. "So you're not disappointed in any way?"

"Disappointed why?" Elaine looked at the young woman with sympathy but also genuine confusion.

"I don't know, because I probably don't walk around the way you'd want your daughter to", she said with a slightly nervous chuckle. "Fully tattooed, black, sometimes provocative clothing, dark makeup."

"Well, I don't look exactly the way people might want me to either", Elaine said with a wink, her voice soft. "There's nothing wrong with being different, darling."

"I like the way you think." Tessa smiled, a smile that reached her eyes and was quickly returned by Elaine. "I'm sorry you were being watched by Wayne. If I'd known what those two were planning thenᅳ"

"It's okay, Tessa." Taking a deep breath, Elaine carefully placed a hand on top of her daughter's, which was resting on the surface of the bench, the smile on her lips now looking more broken than encouraging. "They did what they thought was right and who knows, maybe it was a good thing, after all, it led me to you."

"So you're not angry at them?", the raven-haired woman asked with a sigh while nervously chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Did you ever plan to look for me again?"

"No, I'm notᅳ not now that I know why I was being watched", she explained calmly. At Tessa's question sadness but also uncertainty flashed in Elaine's eyes. "I always wanted to contact you, and my husband would've probably found youᅳ he works for the police in Texas. But I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Not quite following her mother's words, Tessa tilted her head to the side. "That I don't wanna see you?"

"No, it was more your father that I was afraid of", the brunette admitted with a sigh, followed by a snort as she lowered her gaze. "As a mother, I shouldn't have cared, but Michael always knew what to say to control others."

"Why? What did he say?" Tessa wanted to know, anger at her father already building up in the pit of her stomach.

"That he won't hurt me, but you, if I ever look for you." Her words were barely a whisper, but there was so much fear in them that Tessa gritted her teeth as Elaine continued. "I was afraid he would hurt you, not meᅳ that's the only reason I stopped looking for you. I know I could've gone to the police or called CPS. But they didn't help me then."

"Yeah, that definitely sounds like Dad. He has a talent for being a dick", Tessa snorted angrily, looking up at the sky while she swallowed quietly. Her brown eyes found her mother's again, a shiny film covering them. "So you tried to get me back at some point?"

Elaine's eyes filled with more tears, the broken smile back on her lips. "Of course I did. I was far too naive back then and should never have trusted your fatherᅳ but my parents were no better, probably even worse. I was sixteen, almost seventeen, and they were strict Catholics." Elaine let out a shaky breath, trying to control her emotions. "After Mike let my parents bribe him, I immediately talked to CPS and explained the situation to them, but it was a small town in Texas and everyone was friends with my parentsᅳ so no one took me seriously. I tried again and again until I finally came across your number through thousands of contacts and a lot of luck."

"I'm really sorry you had to go through that." Tessa quickly wiped a tear from. "Dad took my son away from me when he was just a few weeks old. I was allowed to see him, but I had to do whatever he wanted. Sawyer lived with his sister and.. that's why I can imagine how you must've felt."

"You have a son? I'm a grandmother?" Now Elaine burst into tears and covered her mouth with her free hand, stifling a sob. But above all there was remorse in her eyes. "I should've done a lot more to get you back, then none of this would've happened to you" she cried out, shaking her head vigorously. "I'm so sorry, Tessa."

"Stop." Genuinely moved by her mother's tears, by the raw emotion and guilt, Tessa pulled her hand out from under Elaine's and in the next moment embraced the woman, simply holding her close. "I know my dad and I know what a horrible person he was, you couldn't have done anything."

"Still, I should've tried harder", Elaine sobbed into Tessa's shoulder, burying her nose in her daughter's chin-length hair. As so often, she regretted not having done more to get her back. "You could've had a normal life with me, but instead you had to go through hell."

"Mom, please." Tessa gently pushed the older woman back and let her hands slip into Elaine's. She took a deep breath before putting on a brave smile. "This may sound stupid, but if everything had gone differently, I wouldn't have Sawyer nowᅳ and I also wouldn't have Happy and", she tilted her chin down a little. "And I also wouldn't have another little miracle on the way."

And at that moment, her anger at Happy had completely vanished. All Tessa wanted was to go back, look for him and just throw herself into his arms when she realized once again how lucky she was to have such a great man, a man she was angry with just a few minutes ago.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong. Children are the most beautiful thing there is", Elaine agreed with a sniffle, but she still smiled wistfully. Her hand twitched towards Tessa's stomach, her fingers itching to place them on top but not without her daughter's permission. "Can I?"

"They are. I don't know what I'd do without Sawyer", Tessa said honestly before she nodded encouragingly and straightened her shoulders a little, placing a hand against the side of her stomach. "Sure, maybe she'll even move."

"She?" Elaine's eyes shone with joy as she placed her hand tentatively on Tessa's stomach, waiting patiently. "And how old is your son? Can Iᅳ can I meet him? Can I get to know you and your family?"

"Yeah, it's a girl, at least that's what the doctor says", Tessa said with a soft chuckle before a proud expression took over her face. "He's five and the sweetest boyᅳ he's an amazing kid."

For a moment, Tessa just watched her mother as she listened attentively to her and still stared at her baby bump. It was a really nice feeling, surprisingly familiar, to have her mother with her. "If that's what you want. I think Sawyer would be happy, and it can't hurt if little Summer grows up with two grandmas."

"Sawyer and Summer." Elaine awed at that, new tears swimming in her eyes, but this time tears of joy. "I would be so grateful if I could be part of your lifeᅳ but of course you don't have to decide that right away. You can talk to your boyfriend about it first, or are you already married?"

A soft blush crossed Tessa's cheeks as she lifted her hand to show off the ring on her finger. "Engaged since yesterday. And I don't think Happy has a problem with that, even if he may seem a little skeptical at first."

"And he has every right to be. Better too careful than not careful enough." Elaine winced, smiling widely as she slowly ran her hand over Tessa's belly. "She moved!"

"She's doing that all the time at the moment", Tessa said, her tone holding amusement. Even though it was painful at times, the Laney woman enjoyed every single movement of her daughter. "You wanna stay here with us for the rest of the vacation? We still have room and I think this would be a good place to get to know each other better."

Questions upon questions raced through Tessa's mind. Did her mom have a new family? Would she possibly meet half-siblings soon? Besides, she just wanted to make up for the time she had missed.

"I would love that", the brunette answered sincerely, smiling at Tessa. "But please discuss it with the others first, I don't want to cause any trouble. And...talk to your fiancé, sweetheart. I really think he was just worried."

"I will. Maybe we should go back", Tessa said resolutely, stood up and stretched her back a little before letting out a soft sigh. "Yep, I need talk to himᅳ I know he had no bad intentions."

"Atta girl." Elaine leaned forward and placed a kiss on Tessa's forehead, then she loosely folded her arms and nodded the younger woman with her. "Come on, I'm curious about my grandson."

"You can be, just this morning he and his friend flooded the kitchen", Tessa explained with a chuckle as they made her way back to the cabin, the young woman more than ready to have a conversation with Happy.

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