Happy's eyes hadn't left that ugly teal hospital room door since Juice had walked through it. He wanted in. He wanted to make sure his kid was all right. Glancing at Chloe, he noticed she was hiding a laugh behind her hand, her hazel eyes lit up as if she found something very amusing. "What?" he asked, his voice a little harsher than normal. He was pissed. He wanted to see his kid. He had that right.

"You," she answered around a laugh. "You have the most protective Papa Bear look on your face right now, and if I didn't know you, I'd be scared as hell that you were going to kill me."

"Papa Bear?" he repeated in disbelief. Only Chloe would have the balls to call him that. "Really?"

Chloe nodded, smiling brightly at him. "Really," she affirmed, unhitching herself from the wall and moving to stand next to him. "Is your mom coming?"

He nodded, rubbing a hand over his head. "My aunt's drivin' over."

"Want me to leave?" she asked, looking up at him.

Happy blinked at her, surprised by her question. He knew it had something to do with the way he'd questioned her when he found her at his Ma's house. He'd thought she'd gone to pull him in closer by earning his mother's approval when she'd really only gone to take care of Angela. Now, she was asking him if he wanted space to distance herself from his family. But he was starting to realize she was already a part of his family. That she'd been long before they'd even started their strange relationship. The friendship between her and Angela was strong. It was clear how much those two cared about each other. It was what had drawn him to Chloe in the first place. "No," he replied, shaking his head.

She cocked her head to the side, a curious look on her face. "You can go in there now," she said, nodding towards the door. "I'm sure Ang wants to see you and the baby is really, really cute."

"They name it?"

"Her name is Evangeline Victoria," Chloe said, emphasizing the female pronoun. He paused at the name, a brief smile crossing his face; she'd named her after her dad. Chloe raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm guessin' you know the meaning behind that name 'cause I sure don't..."

"It's a good name," he answered vaguely before stepping into the room. Juice was too immersed in looking at his new daughter to look up, but Angela did. Her dark eyes seeking his as if she knew exactly who'd be walking through that door. A bright smile spread across her face that made his heart squeeze almost painfully in his chest; he loved seeing her smile like that. "Hey kid," he greeted, walking to her side of the bed.

"Hi," she said, holding out her hand to him.

Normally, she wouldn't have made such a gesture and even if she did, he wouldn't have grabbed her hand, but he did this time. Taking it in his own and squeezing it tightly before leaning over to kiss her forehead. "How you doin'?"

"Great," she answered, elbowing Juice to catch his attention. Juice looked startled for a moment before he nodded his greeting to Hap. Reluctantly, he transferred the small pink bundle from his arms to Angela's. She angled her so Happy could see her little face. "Look what I made. Little Miss Evie Ortiz."

Happy couldn't count the amount of times he'd heard Angela say those words while she was growing up. She'd come running to him with drawings or things she'd painted excited to show him. Hearing them now and seeing what she was showing him brought a lump to his throat. He tried to swallow it back as he nodded in approval. "Good job," he said, roughly.

"Thanks." Angela smiled, tracing a finger down Evie's little nose. "Wanna hold her?"

His thoughts drifted back to the day her father had asked him the same question about her when she'd just been born. He felt differently now. For some reason, he wanted to hold the baby. In a strange way, the baby felt like a piece of him too. He'd put in so much work and time with Angela, that he was proud to see how far she'd come. To see her as a mother and to meet his niece. Angela had often disputed over his title in her life. Sometimes she called him brother, sometimes she teased him by saying he was her father. But he was too young for the title of grandfather, he decided. So he settled on 'uncle'. Uncle felt right. He took the baby girl in his arms, smirking as her little arms moved in the jerky-baby way. "Looks like you," he commented, lifting a finger to touch her little fist. "Luckily."

Angela laughed, looking over at Juice who was scowling as he slid his arms around her shoulders. "Don't take that to heart, baby. I think you're very handsome. Happy's needed glasses for awhile now anyway.," she soothed him, patting his cheek lovingly.

That's when Happy saw it. The silver ring with the rather large black diamond on it. Whatever comment she'd made went ignored as fury filled him. The idiot had done it. He'd gone and proposed without his approval. He handed Evie back to Angela before nodding at Juice. "Outside. Now," he growled, his eyes narrowed at the younger man.

Juice's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You gonna be okay, Angel?" he asked, looking at her for some type of explanation as to why Happy looked like he was going to murder him.

"Yeah. Go," she answered, clearly just as confused as he was.

He followed Happy out into the hallway, surprised to see it relatively empty. Bones and Ken must've gone to get something to eat. Chloe was standing a few feet away at the nurse's station, chatting with someone behind the desk. He noticed this all in the few seconds before Happy grabbed him by the front of his cut and pinned him against the wall. "Thought I told you 'no'," the Tacoma killer growled.

Juice didn't struggle against him. He'd known this was coming the moment he put the ring on Angela's finger. He'd blatanly gone against Happy's wishes, but he honestly didn't care. He wasn't going to let Angela slip away. He was going to make her his wife, even if it killed him...which, if the look on Happy's face had anything to do with it, it might. "You did. And back then, you were right. But you're not any more. I love her and that is never going to change," he said, knowing he'd finally said the right thing when Happy let him go. He rolled his shoulders for a moment, fighting the urge to glare at Happy. "She's all I got, Hap. All I want. Her and Evie, they're...they're my life. I live for them. I'd kill for them. And I would gladly die for them."

Happy recognized the words as the ones that were inked across his own chest. He didn't know whether to punch the idiot or be proud of him for such a bold statement. "You gonna take care of 'em?"

"You know I will, Hap. I've made stupid mistakes before—I know that—but I'm never gonna hurt her again," he promised, his brown eyes honest as he nodded. "I'm gonna take care of my family. All of 'em."

Happy took another step back and shook his head, running a hand over his prickly scalp. He didn't like it. In fact, he hated it. Hated the idea that Angela was no longer just his girl. He'd promised her dad he'd take care of her, and he took that promise very seriously. He wasn't used to sharing that responsibility nor did he want to. Juice had been an annoyance ever since they'd first started dating, always trying to take over his role of protecting her. But Hap never had imagined the idiot would go this far. A part of him was a little relieved, though. He'd always been worried about who Angela would end up with, if she'd end up alone if anything happened to him. Kozik had been his back up plan; he never would've guessed the blonde would go first. He was glad Juice would be there for her now, to take care of her, to protect her. Deep down, he knew Juice loved Angela almost as much as he did. "She's a pain in the ass," he muttered.

Juice smirked and shrugged. "Not really. Not any more than I am."

He fought the urge to roll his eyes; the idiot was saying all the right things. "You put that ring on and the only way out is in a body bag," he threatened, the look on his face telling Juice he meant every word he said.

"I know," he answered on a nod. "I'm not goin' anywhere, Hap."

Happy took in a deep breath, his eyes traveling down the hallway to where Chloe was watching them, her arms crossed over her chest. His mother had told him to let Angela go, to let someone else in. There was no way he was going to let his little girl go, but he could allow someone else to take care of her. He slapped Juice on the shoulder and nodded. "Take care a them."

"Always, man."

The ping of the elevator along with the loud sound of two women talking in Spanish caused both men to grimace. Happy pushed Juice towards the hospital room door. "Warn her," he ordered before turning around to face his Mom and Aunt.

But Chloe had already intercepted them, slowing down the two women that came bearing armfuls of gifts and balloons and stuffed animals of every shape and size. Happy breathed a sigh of relief knowing Chloe's little distraction was no accident. Slowly, he headed down the hall towards them, smirking as he watched Graciela hug Chloe tightly followed by his own mother hugging her as if she was family. And Chloe was talking to them in Spanish. Well, she was trying to. Her accent was atrocious and she interjected English words in their conversation every once in awhile, but it was a hell of a lot better than his. She winked at him as she ushered them into Angela's room, both women so excited, they barely noticed him.

"You speak Spanish?" he asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

Chloe shrugged a shoulder. "I speak some of everything. Makes my job easier."

Happy smirked, looking impressed. "Didn't know that."

She shrugged again. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Lowman," she teased, patting the front of his cut, a slow, sexy smile spreading across her face before she walked away, leaving him itching to pull her into a storage closet and have his way with her.

He chased after her, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her into his side. "Don't tease me, woman," he growled into her ear.

"Not teasing," she said, her smile growing. A doctor turned the corner making her step away from him. She made eye contact with the doctor and gave him a quick nod and friendly smile as he walked by.

Happy caught the small move. Was she embarrassed of him? Was that why she never pushed for a relationship like most girls did if he deigned to fuck them twice in a row? Was that why she didn't flaunt and boast about him? He grabbed her arm, opening the nearest door and shoving her inside of it. He pushed her up against the wall, getting into her face. "The hell was that?"

Her hazel eyes regarded his face without an ounce of fear. He had her goddamned corner in a storage closet, and she still wasn't afraid of him. "What?" she asked, though she looked like she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"You steppin' away from me. What the hell was that?"

"You don't want anyone to know we're fucking, right? You don't want to tell your Ma or your friends, but I pull away because one my superiors walk by and that pisses you off?Seriously?" she asked, slightly annoyed by his anger.

Happy slammed his fist against the wall, a growl leaving his lips before he could stop himself. "You want to be an Old Lady? That what you want?" he seethed.

"Have I ever asked for that?" she countered, her fists balled up at her sides. "I don't want that. Not at all! I pushed you away because I don't want to let you in anymore than I have to."

A weird emotion filled Happy at those words, and he took a step back when he realized what it was. Hurt. Why did that hurt him? Wasn't he doing the same to her? He blinked at her before shaking his head and moving to open the door. He stopped and looked back at her. "Why?" he asked flatly, a fiery look in his dark eyes.

"Why what?" she asked, confused. At his look, she sighed. "I just...I'm keeping you at arm's length so when you get bored of me and move on, it won't hurt as much."

"You got feelin's for me?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Does it matter?"

He nodded, his dark eyes never leaving hers. "Matters to me."

"Yeah, I care about you, asshole," she said on a scowl. "Same as I care about Ang and my family. I'm a nurse. I care about people. It's my job. You care about me?"

Happy smirked, cornering her again. He did. He really did. He didn't know why or when she got under his skin, but there she was. He couldn't get enough of her. Dipping his head, he caught her lips in a rough kiss. She met the kiss eagerly, grabbing onto the front of his cut to hold pull him in closer. Then he pulled away leaving Chloe breathless as he walked out of the closet. She sucked in a deep breath suddenly feeling as though she was in way over her head.

----------------

Angela sighed gratefully when her mom and aunt finally walked out of the hospital room. She was exhausted. Her mother tired her out with her questions and preemptive wedding planning. Like Happy, the older women had not missed the ring around her finger. Both of them had gone insane. First with poor Evie, and now with the idea of a wedding. Angela was starting to wish she'd just taken the damn ring off just to avoid problems. "Are you scared yet? You've just earned yourself not one, but two monster-in-laws," she joked, looking over at Juice. He was staring adoringly at their daughter who was swaddled tightly in the crib by her bed. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her since the moment he first saw her.

"Not scared," he said honestly. He pulled his gaze away from his baby and glanced at Angela who was giving him a doubtful look. "I'm not. I like their fussin'. Makes me feel like part of the family."

She smiled warmly at him, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "You are, Juice."

The corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smile before he went back to looking at his daughter. "We made one good looking kid," he stated, beaming with pride.

Angela smirked at him. "Gonna have to beat the boys off with sticks."

His grin faded at the thought of it. "No," he said shaking his head. "No boys. Ever. No one's gonna touch my little girl."

She laughed, feeling a little turned on by the protective look on her face. "Hap used to say the same thing," she said, pointedly. "Look how well that turned out."

He seemed to be considering that when someone barged in the door, startling Evie. The little girl's started wriggling around, her face scrunching as she started to fuss. Juice grabbed her immediately. "Sshhh," he murmured, pressing his lips to her forehead. "It's okay, Monk. I got you. Daddy's got you."

"He's a natural," Gemma stated as she walked into the room. She approached Angela first, giving her a big smile as she leaned over and gave her a hug and a kiss. "Congrats, baby. Proud of you."

Angela smiled back at her. "Thanks, Gem."

"Now let me see that baby," she said, turning to Juice and holding out her hands. At Juice's reluctant look, she glanced back at Angela. "Only a few hours old and she's got Daddy wrapped around her finger, huh? C'mon. Let me see her."

Juice handed her over, hovering nearby while Gemma held her. "She's cute, right?" he asked, his brown eyes wide and seeking approval.

Gemma smiled at him and nodded in agreement. "She's precious. Hi little one, what's your name?" she cooed to the baby. Juice gave her Evie's full name making Gemma smirk. "Jesus Christ. That's a mouthful. Got anything shorter?"

"Evie," Angela said on a laugh. She looked up as the door opened and Nero stepped in. Her eyes glanced over at Juice who had visibly tensed. Strangely, none of his brothers other than Happy had stopped by to congratulate him, but here was Nero. "Hey there."

"Hey Mama," Nero greeted on a nod. To her surprise, he leaned over and kissed her forehead before presenting her with a little pink teddy bear. One she'd definitely seen at the hospital gift shop. "Gemma uh...Gemma told me you had a little girl. Thought I'd stop by and say felicitaciones." (Congratulations.)

"Thanks Nero," Angela replied with a big smile as she took the bear from him. "Cute little thing."

"Look at this little one," Gemma said, moving to stand next to Nero. "Little Evangeline. Our first little brown baby."

Nero smirked at that, his big hand rubbing over Evie's full head of dark hair. "First of many?"

Gemma looked at the couple, chuckling at the identical shocked looks on their faces. They both looked scared shitless. It was clear they hadn't even begun to think of that. "I'm guessin' they haven't gotten that far," she said with a smirk.

"Oh shit. Sorry guys," Nero said on a grimace. He looked at Angela and gestured to the baby. "You mind? Been awhile since I got to hold a baby."

Angela let Juice answer that one. He nodded, perching on the side of her bed. She reached out a hand and slipped it under the hem of his cut, her fingernails lightly raking over his lower back in a soothing motion. She could tell he was tense by the set of his shoulders. His eyes kept cutting to the door as if he was expecting more visitors. She knew he was too. Not a single one of his brothers, save for Happy, had come by. That had to hurt. She wondered if they even knew about their new little addition. "The guys workin' late, Gem?" she asked, knowing he wouldn't.

Gemma nodded, trying for a smile. "TM's swamped. 'specially now that they're missin' this one and Hap. But they'll be here tomorrow. I'm know they want to meet her too."

Juice nodded sadly. He didn't know what he'd expected. A part of him thought all of his brothers would be there to congratulate him with cigars and champagne. That's what they did for Abel and as far as he knew, for Thomas as well. Evie deserved the same treatment, the same celebration. She was special too. Hell, he wanted to tell the whole world he was now the father of a beautiful baby girl who's mother he was going to marry as soon as possible. "I get it," he said on a sigh.

"Man, she's cute," Nero said on a chuckle as he gave Evie back to her dad. He pat Juice on the back in a fatherly motion. "You did good, mijo."

"Thanks," Juice replied, touching his little girl's cheek.

"Hey, why don't you two go get us something cold to drink?" Gemma asked the men, taking Evie from Juice once again. "Let me and little miss over here have some Mom time."

Nero and Juice nodded, both of them clearing out quickly leaving the two women alone. Angela sighed, relaxing back against the pillows. "What happened now, Gem?"

"Got rid of one pregnant lady and gained another one," Gemma commented, her eyes on Angela's face. It was a test. She wanted to know if the undertaker knew about the pregnancy.

She blinked at her in shock. "Wait...you're..."

"No! No. Too old for that now, sweetheart," she interrupted on a chuckle. "Tara. Surprised she didn't tell you."

Angela shook her head slowly. "No, no. Last time I saw her, we..." she trailed off there knowing it wasn't wise to tell Gemma that Tara had wanted her to testify against the club in court. "She kept pushing the guardianship thing, and I wasn't...nice about it this time."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. Either way, Gemma bought it. "Wendy told me she doesn't want it," the Queen stated on a frown.

She snorted in response; she couldn't help herself. There was no way it was true. She didn't know Wendy well, but she was willing to bet the woman wanted guardianship of her only son. Tara had something else up her sleeve. Whatever it was, Angela wasn't going to call her out on it. She was just going to roll with it. "I mean, that makes sense. She probably doesn't want to deal with you either."

"Funny," Gemma said, glaring at the younger woman. She handed Evie back to Angela, perching on the edge of the bed to face the younger woman. "You surprised Tara's pregnant?"

"Not really. She just got out of jail. Figured her and Jax would be at it like rabbits," she replied on a laugh. She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms and smiled fondly as she remembered just how much fun she and Juice had when he'd come home from county. "I mean, that's how Evie was made."

The older woman chuckled, shaking her head at Angela's bluntness. If someone had told her so many years ago that Juice would not only have an Old Lady, but a kid, she would've told them they were crazy. But here was his little family, and it was a good one too. Angela assimilated into the club as if she'd always been a part of it. She had the respect of the guys and got along with most of the Croweaters, a feat even Tara had yet to accomplish. She helped the club when she could but mostly stayed out of it. Gemma often wondered if Happy had inadvertently trained her for this lifestyle, or if it was her own instincts. Whatever it was, Gemma was happy to have her as part of their family. "Y'know, I knew that day you told me you only wanted Juice's dick that you were a keeper. Just didn't know he'd actually hold on to ya. Thought you'd a given up on him a long time ago."

Angela smirked, leaning over to put Evie in her crib. "I love him. And yeah, it gets tough because he can be a real...idiot sometimes, but...I love him. At the end of the day, he's who I want at my side. Plain and simple."

Gemma gave her a smile that could only be described as motherly. Leaning over, she kissed Angela's cheek and smoothed her hair down lovingly. "You're a good girl, Angie. Glad you stuck around."

With that, she walked out of the room, her heels clacking on the tile. Angela furrowed her brow in utter confusion; she'd never understand that woman.