After an almost sleepless night of tossing and turning, the redhead finally decided to get up. After throwing off her blanket, she got up and made her way to the adjoining bathroom after picking out clothes from her travel bag.

It was time for her to start taking more care of her again, especially when there was a child in the house. When she returned from Lyla last night, she found out that Debbie was apparently going to spend the night, or maybe even longer, with them at the cabin after Happy explained her that it was his week with his daughter.

From this Avery concluded that he wasn't taken, at least not to the kid's mother. And he wasn't married either because she didn't see a ring on his finger. So maybe she could allow herself a look or two without having to feel bad.

Still quite tired, the ginger haired woman dragged herself into the shower and let out a pleasant sigh as the lukewarm water hit her body and caused her tense muscles to relax a little. And despite the fact that she wasn't that fit yet, she noticed that simple tasks like taking a shower or brushing her teeth were much easier again.

Even though the craving for drugs was still strong, and would probably be for a long time, the voice of reason slowly returned. The distraction yesterday afternoon had also been good for her. Just cooking with Lyla, playing games with her nephew and Ope's kids, then watching a movie. She needed something like that more often if she really wanted to stay clean.

After about ten minutes, she quickly washed her body and hair, turned off the water, and wrapped a towel around her body after stepping out of the shower. She even went so far as to apply some make up; just some mascara and blush.

After brushing her teeth, Avery quickly blow-dried her hair and then slipped into her jeans and a simple white shirt that fit tightly to her body. She preferred the natural style, although she could look a lot different if she wanted. But jeans, a shirt and sneakers were more comfortable.

When she got to the kitchen, she looked for something to make breakfast with. Finally she settled on scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Then she prepared everything as quietly as possible so as not to wake up Happy and his daughter, as the two of them were up quite late yesterday doing a movie night.

Happy had offered her to join them, but she didn't want to disturb their evening together and decided to spend the time in her room.

Just as she was dividing the scrambled eggs onto three plates, she jumped slightly when Happy suddenly appeared in front of her, looking quite relieved to find her in the kitchen, which confused her at first. Until she remembered why.

"I told you I wouldn't try to run away again", she said with a small smile, pointing to the mess by the oven that she would clean up later. "I thought I'd make some breakfast for us. I hope you and Debbie like eggs and bacon?"

Happy grunted with a curt nod at her explanation and looked between the table and the oven. Honestly, he was glad he didn't have to make breakfast today and gave the redhead a grateful look.

"Yeah, eggs and bacon are good. Thanks", he rasped and poured some of the coffee that was already ready into a cup and leaned against the kitchen counter, discreetly eyeing the young woman.

He didn't miss the fact that she looked a lot better today than she had the last few days. When she passed close enough to plate the rest of the food, the smell of coconut filled his nostrils. Her hair fell down her shoulders and back and ended just above her tailbone. He even noticed the natural make-up look and in these clothes he saw her figure for the first time; which he couldn't in the oversized shirts she wore the last week. And yes, he caught himself looking a little more closely, imagining things he probably shouldn't.

Fuck, she was pretty and hot, he couldn't deny that. Probably one of the prettiest women he had met. She couldn't be compared to the Croweaters he usually had around him when he wanted female company. She was pure.

"How was it at Lyla's yesterday?", he finally asked to distract himself from his thoughts, which were definitely wandering in a different direction than they should. But no wonder with a beautiful woman like her.

"It was nice, I think I need something like that more often again." Avery's answer was quick and convincing, almost cheerful. "I also decided to move to Charming. This means I can spend more time with Lyla and my nephew again."

"Really?" He cocked a brow, somewhat surprised. That she would move straight to Charming was something he hadn't expected; but secretly he liked the idea of having her here for longer than just another week or two.

"Mmm, yes", she hummed and finally poured herself a cup of coffee, too. Black but with a lot of sugar, that's how she liked it best. Besides, she just needed a replacement for the drugs. And even though sugar wasn't necessarily healthy, it was definitely the healthier option compared to heroin. "Lyla also offered me to move in with her for the time being, probably so that she can keep an eye on me and make sure that I won't slip again."

"That's probably not a good idea", he stated matter of factly, pretty sure that Avery would be better off with Lyla than alone in an apartment. Otherwise she might just come up with stupid ideas. "When are you planning to move?"

"Yeah, probably", the redhead mumbled against her cup before taking a sip, sighing as the hot liquid warmed her from the inside. "Well, as soon as you think that I'm ready and don't have to stay here anymore. Do you think I can get out of here soon?"

"Is it so bad to spend time with me?" An almost playful grin played on his lips, but he understood why she wanted to leave. "Honestly, you need to know how you feel. Do you think you've gotten to the point where you can fight the craving?"

"Honest answer?", she asked sheepishly, to which he nodded curtly. "I don't know to be honest. But I realized that the distraction yesterday was really good for me and could probably help me stay strong."

"We can start slow. I'll take you out from time to time, then we'll see if you're ready", he offered with a shrug. "It's not like I want to lock you up here."

"But do you even have time for that? To keep an eye on me for so long?", she asked, although she already felt guilty for wasting so much of his time. After all, he still had his own life. "Besides, you have a daughter who needs your attention more than I do."

"I got the job to keep an eye on you until you can be on your own again, so yeah, I got the time, little girl", he assured her, and she didn't need to know how he earned his money yet. And he doubted that Lyla had told her much about him or the club in general. "You don't have to worry about Debbie. She likes you, she doesn't mind if we spend time with you."

"She likes me?" Avery's eyes literally lit up when she heard that. As a former pre school teacher, she was of course always happy when children liked her. "But she just met me."

"Mmm", Happy nodded, giving her the slightest smile. "You were patient with her and encouraged her. Not many people have the patience to listen to her for long because of her stuttering", he just snorted angrily at the end of the sentence, and Avery could understand the anger he must feel.

She would never understand how some people couldn't sympathize with people with disabilities. Even back in preschool, she always felt sad when such children were excluded, which unfortunately was often the case. But together with her colleagues, she always made sure that special children were also included.

"Does she have a lot of problems? In kindergarten? Does she even go to one?", the redhead asked cautiously and put her cup down, turning more sideways to be able to look up at Happy properly.

"She does", Happy admitted reluctantly and Avery could tell that this topic was bothering him and made him angry, but also sad. She believed that it really hurt him to see how much his daughter was struggling. "Even her own mother is embarrassed when she starts stuttering in front of her friends. Kim always claims that Debbie only stutters to get attention. And of course other kids make fun of her, too. But I can't punch a four or five year old."

"And I know that Debbie is suffering because this", he huffed, annoyed with himself that he couldn't do more about it. "Sometimes she doesn't speak for hours because she's afraid of annoying someone. A child her age shouldn't have to be afraid of something like that."

She raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief and let out a snort, incredibly angry by Debbie's own mother's behavior. "If she doesn't even have her mother's support, how will she ever be able to cope? I'm sorry, I have no right to say this, but that Kim sounds like a real bitch."

"She is", Happy replied with a grin before his features became hard and serious again. "That's why I'm grateful that you were being patient with her and encouraged her to keep talking. She talked about you for hours after you left with Lyla. It was also her idea for you to join us last night."

"Oh fuck, seriously?!" Groaning, she covered her face with hed hands and wanted to slap herself for not joining them last night. "I thought you were just asking out of politeness. I didn't want to disturb your evening with your daughter. I'll explain that to her once she gets up. Was she disappointed?"

When Happy saw that Avery genuinely felt bad, which was not what he wanted to achieve, he also put his cup down and straightened his shoulders a little. "No, don't worry. I told her you were probably tired and had a long day."

The redhead let out a sigh of relief and looked up at him gratefully. "Thanks, I don't want her to think that she's annoying me. You have a really great daughter, you can be proud of her."

"I am. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter", he admitted, lifting the corner of his mouth. Even though he never wanted children at first, and especially not with a one-night stand that turned out to be a total bitch, he couldn't imagine life without Debbie. And he didn't want to.

"May I ask why she doesn't live with you? If her mom has no patience for her anyway and is ashamed of her own daughter, why doesn't she just give you custody and fuck off? That would definitely be better for Debbie", she snorted quietly and shook her head. Such mothers made her angry.

She would do anything for a child, but would never be allowed to experience the happiness of carrying a human being under her heart for months because she was unable to have children due to a car accident a few years ago. And then there were women like Kim who were lucky enough to be mothers and then treated their children like shit.

And Happy seemed to genuinely love his daughter, to care about her well-being. The pain that Avery had seen in his eyes earlier when he was talking about how hard Debbie had it because of some idiots, convinced her that the little girl would definitely better off with him. Someone who accepted her the way she was and loved her regardless.

"I tried. I've been fighting for sole custody for two years now. But the judges always side with that bitch. And next month she'll be four, so another year has passed in which she hasn't been with me." The bitterness in his tone was strong and once again Avery could only shake her head.

"I don't understand stuff like that", she sighed, disappointment lingering in her voice. "I hope you win the fight one day. You can clearly see how comfortable she feels with you. That's a good thing."

"Yeah, hopefully", Happy grunted. However, he had slowly given up hope, which didn't mean he would ever stop fighting for Debbie. It was worth every penny he needed for a good lawyer.

ᚔ

After breakfast, the three of them sat for a while at the table that Avery had already cleaned up and played a few games together. It was an activity for Debbie and a distraction for Avery. So a win-win situation for everyone. Besides, the redhead enjoyed the company. Not having to sit alone in a quiet room with her own thoughts was a good thing.

"I w-w-won again. C-can we p-p-play another round?", the girl announced with a squeak and clapped her hands, beaming, while Kaylee watched the man next to her out of the corner of her eye and noticed how her heart melted when she saw how proudly he looked at the little girl, how much love he had for the girl. That's how every parent should look at their kids.

"How about we go outside, hm?", Happy asked instead, plus he had to go to the club afterwards and had to talk to Avery anyway about whether she would come with him or whether he would have to call someone who would keep an eye on her until he and Debbie would be back.

"Oh yes! C-can we go to the lake we were at yesterday again?" The three year old shifted excitedly in her chair. "And c-can Avery c-c-come with us?"

"There's a lake here?" Grinning, Avery's gaze wandered back and forth between Debbie and Happy. "I would love to come with you. But it's a little too cold for swimming, isn't it?"

"We're just g-going for a walk", Debbie explained with a smile, dimples forming on her face that only made the little girl look even cuter. "C-Can we also have a picnic?"

"A picnic?" Happy asked amused, but eventually shrugged his shoulders. If a picnic would make his daughter happy, why not. "If Avery wants that too we can do it, bug."

"Well, I would really like that", the redhead replied immediately and smiled broadly. "Would you like to help me prepare things for the picnic?"

Debbie gasped in delight and nodded eagerly, happy that someone actually asked for her help and would involve her. "Yes! C-c-can I cut t-the fruits?"

"Yes, of course you can. Then I don't have to do that and I can take care of the rest. Besides, you're probably better at it anyway", Avery winked at the little girl with a grin, who giggled sheepishly in return.

"Do you even need me anymore?" Happy's deep laugh vibrated through his chest as he finally spoke up. He liked the way Avery treated Debbie, the way she talked to her. She treated her like a normal child and he knew that was exactly what Debbie needed and wanted. Apart from him, his mom and the club, there was almost no one who was so relaxed and normal with Debbie.

"Yeah, sure, to carry all that stuff", Avery countered jokingly, earning another giggle from Debbie and a snort but amused shake of his head from Happy; she really found him more and more attractive. Not only his looks, but it also turned out that his personality was amazing.