The laughter of the large group in the garden lit up the neighborhood while everyone was celebrating. Avery and Happy were glued to each other, like a newly married couple should. Debbie was also more clingy than usual today and was always close to her parents.

It had been a quick wedding at the courthouse. It looked pretty funny when about fifteen bikers and their companions squeezed into the small room in the court so that no one would miss anything when Happy Lowman actually got married. No one ever thought that the famous 'Tacoma Killer' would get married, not until Avery showed up and wrapped him around her finger.

Gemma, Lyla, Celine, Lyla, Ima and Tara had really given everything to make the day perfect and planned everything in a structured manner and made sure that the couple didn't have to lift a fingerᅳ and Avery couldn't even put into words how grateful she was for that. Happy was also grateful, of course, but Avery expressed her joy and feelings better and more openly than him.

Debbie had a permanent smile on her face, after all she had the job of the flower girl to do and in Happy's and Avery's eyes no one could've done it betterᅳ and they didn't just say that because Debbie was their daughter.

The five-year-old has always had a talent for doing things perfectlyᅳ she definitely didn't inherit it from Kim, but rather from Happy.

Then there was Abel, who did his job just as well and looked after the rings like a professional until they were finally needed.

Avery still couldn't believe it. With a small but more than happy smile, she looked down at the ring on her finger as they all sat around the large table in the garden. For a moment she blocked out all the voices that were having lively conversations and got lost in her thoughts.

Her life had changed so much in the last two years that she couldn't believe how lucky she was that Lyla had remained stubborn and brought her to Charming. The withdrawal was probably the last thing she wanted at that point, and she wanted to run away as soon as she got out of the car after they arrived at the cabin.

The feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach that she felt back then stayed with her to this day. The pain, the nausea, withdrawal symptoms that lasted for days and panic attacksᅳ it was pure horror.

But those few weeks of hell were worth it. She had gained so many new things. Positive things. A husband, a daughter to whom she wasn't connected by blood, but that didn't make any difference. Debbie was her child, her daughterᅳ the fact that she hadn't grown under her heart meant absolutely nothing in this case.

In addition, she had her sister close again, with whom the relationship had become even closer and more familiar than it had been before. She had gained a new best friend in Ima and a kind of mentor in Gemma. And even Tara had now become a friend that Avery didn't want to miss anymore, even if the two of them had a little trouble at the beginning.

There was more good news on the horizon that Chibs wanted to announce. With a whistle, he pulled Avery out of her own little world and got her attention. She looked curiously at the Scot, who stood up and pulled Celine, who was sitting next to him, up with him.

There were broad, meaningful smiles on both faces. Avery's eyes widened, one look at Lyla was enough to see that the penny had already dropped for her sister tooᅳ and apparently for the rest as well, as some were already whispering among themselves.

"I know this comes a little unexpected, and actually t' day only belongs t' Hap and Avery", Chibs gave the couple an apologetic look, but Happy just waved it off with a grin while Avery was sitting on hot coals. "But Celine and I have something t' tell y'all."

"Don't tell me you're dating", Lyla blurted out with a gasp, grinning. "If so, how have you been able to hide it so well until now?"

"That's exactly what we are doing", Celine finally announced with joy in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Chib's forearm. "We didn't want to make a big deal about it until we were completely sure that it actually had a future."

Delighted cheering, clapping and whistling broke out and congratulations were shouted at both of them. The neighbors were probably happy when the day was over and the neighborhood was quieter again.

A squeaking noise escaped Avery's lips as she jumped up and hurried over to her mom before throwing her arms around her neck. Her mom looked genuinely happy, something that hadn't happened much since Ian's death. Celine finally deserved to experience some happiness again.

"I'm so happy for you", she exclaimed happily, her eyes shimmering. "You deserve to be happy, mom", the redhead's gaze slid to Chibs, a wry smile on her lips. "You're one lucky guy. I hope you know what an amazing woman you have now."

"Aye, I know what a great woman I have by my side, lass", he winked at the redhead, whose arm he gently squeezed. "But tha' isn't all."

"Wait, what's next?" Lyla had now also joined in the hug. With an arm around each of her two daughters, Celine grinned at them both in turn.

"Well, long-distance relationships aren't necessarily what you want at our age", the older one began conspiratorially, making her girls fidget a bit.

"No shit", Lyla let out a soft laugh, her blue eyes just as big as Avery's. "You're moving here?"

"You don't make jokes with that", Avery warned as excitement bubbled up inside her. "Are you really moving here?"

"Yes, I'm moving here", she let her girls know with a chuckle to finally free them from the pent-up tension. "We thought about it for a long time, but this is simply the best solution. Chibs can't just leave and it can't hurt to start over somewhere else."

"It was t' best decision in t' long run", Chibs chimed in with a smile, his hand resting on Celine's back. "We'll be looking for a house for us in t' next few weeks. Once everything is sorted out, yer' mother will move to Charming."

"Of course we'll help with that", Happy let them know with a rasp after he approached the small group and gently pulled his wife towards him.

His wifeᅳ he couldn't quite believe it himself. It would probably take a while until he seriously realized that he was now a married manᅳ that he had a real family. Just like in all the movies. They may not be a perfect family for others. But in his eyes they couldn't be more perfect.

The moment he laid his eyes on Avery for the first time this morning in front of the courthouse had taken his breath away. Seeing her in the dress that flattered her body, looking so absolutely elegant yet sexy. Her hair, her make-upᅳ she couldn't have looked prettier even if she had put her mind to it.

He was a lucky bastard and he knew it. And he also knew that Avery knew that she was very lucky to have him. Her drug past didn't deter him, not even the small relapse she had. He would be by her side forever, no matter how many setbacks the two of them had to endure. They would always find a solution, as they should as a couple.

But at the moment everything was perfect. Avery was clean, the craving had clearly lost its power and had become quieter while Avery's positive attitude gained more and more power. The only thing they both now still wanted was a sibling for Debbie.

One day it would workᅳ they just had to believe in it.

Happy lead his wife away from the crowd, his arm circling her waist as he made sure to keep her as close to him as possible. His other hand rested on her cheek, running his thumb along her cheekbone.

"You know you'll have to put up with me for the rest of your life now, right?" It wasn't so much a question but more of a statement from Happy that brought a grin to Avery's face.

"I could imagine worse", she replied, something cheeky in her tone that elicited a chuckle from Happy.

"And I hope you also know that that means I'll always have my eyes on you. Sometimes I'll overreact, be too possessive, and maybe annoy you", he croaked, pausing for a moment as he placed his hand on the back of her neck, looking intently into her eyes. "I love you, Avery, everything about you. I've never felt anything like that about another woman."

With a peaceful smile, Avery allowed herself to close her eyes for a moment as she listened to Happy's words that hit her right in the feelings and filled her chest with a warmth that she only felt with him. Only he was able to reach her.

"I love you too, Hap, and our Debs, more than anything", she whispered as she slowly opened her eyes again and lost herself in his, today much warmer looking, brown eyes. "Without your help and support, who knows where I would be today, maybe not even alive anymore. You literally saved my ass and lifted me up at the same time. And I will never forget that. And you gave me the best gift ever."

"Our daughter." Avery's gaze wandered a bit and landed on Debbie, who was happily dancing in a circle with the other kids and just looked happy.

"She deserves someone as a mom who will genuinely love her and support her and treat her like a normal personᅳ and not someone who makes jokes about her or gets embarrassed", Happy said, his tone firm and a serious expression on his stoic face as he also looked at his daughter. "And one day she'll have a sibling who will be loved just as much as she is."

"I hope so, I really do", Avery murmured with a wistful smile before looking back up at Happy before capturing his lips.

The gentle kiss quickly became more intimate, more intense. Happy's thumb gently rubbed along her hairline while Avery tentatively placed her hand against the side of his neck, tilting her head to the side to deepen the kiss further.

"Get a room", Tig called out with a chuckle, causing the couple to burst out laughing and break the kiss.

"Mind your own business", Happy hollered back, amused.

"Mommy, daddy!" Debbie came running towards the two, whereupon Happy scooped her up in his arms and pushed some strands of hair out of her face.

"What's going on, bug?", he asked lovingly, which still seemed unusual since the killer never talked to anyone in such a soft tone except when it came to Debbie and Avery.

"Are we a r-real family now?", she asked, curiosity lingering in her sweet voice. "Now t-that you and Mommy are married I mean."

"Sweetie, we've been a real family this whole time", Avery replied, smiling as she ran the back of her fingers Debbie's cheek.

"I know", the five-year-old nodded eagerly, the tip of her tongue pressed against her upper lip before letting out a giggle. "But now we all have the same name, and that makes us even more of a family."

"That's true", Happy grunted with a satisfied nod. "Now we're Lowman's. Sounds good, right?"

"Sounds perfect", Avery whispered happily before she was pulled into his free side and the three of them just stayed like that for a while until they kept celebrating the day with the rest and just enjoyed the time together.

ᚔ

It had been two years since the wedding. For two years now, Avery was wearing Happy's nameᅳ not just on her skin but also on paper. Their marriage couldn't be better if Avery was honest. Sure, they had little arguments sometimes, like every couple, but they had never had a real fight.

They also always agreed on how to raise Debbie, although they didn't have to do much. The seven-year-old was still a sunshine. Always in a good mood, always polite and full of joy. There were hardly any days when Debbie was in a bad mood or had an attitude.

Avery never imagined that family life could be so harmonious. She had grown up in a household where only one parent was normal and loving while the other was abusive and a pervert. Lyla's first relationship had also been an absolute failure and then the sad story with Ope.

Avery had never seen what a seriously happy relationship looked like, she never expected to have one herself. And now she was sitting at the kitchen table, an impatient Happy to her right and a fidgeting Debbie to her left as she stared at the three pregnancy tests lying on the table.

"Why is this taking so long?" Happy groaned from the side, his leg bouncing up and down impatiently.

"It's really t-taking a long time", Debbie agreed with a theatrical sigh, her stutter minimally present because she was excited. "I finally w-want to know whether I'll have a sibling."

"And I thought I was impatient", Avery murmured, chuckling as she exchanged glances with the two of them.

Then, when the timer finally went off, each of the three grabbed a test. A wide smile spread across Avery's lips. But she tried not to get excited too soon.

"This one is positive, what do the other two look like?", she asked the two, to whom she had already explained that two lines meant positive and one meant negative.

"This one is positive too!" Debbie only fidgeted more as the excitement rose within her too.

Now two pairs of eyes were focused on Happy, who exhaled in relief and ran a hand over his face. A rare, clearly visible smile on his face. "This one's positive too."

"Holy shit.." Avery put a hand over her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of joy.

They had been trying to get pregnant for two damn years and finally all the setbacks had paid off. So much money had gone into pregnancy tests, medication and vitamins that would stimulate fertility and countless doctor's appointments.

"We're becoming parents again", Happy huffed out, still stunned by the news. "This is.. fuckin' great."

"Bad word, daddy", Debbie scolded gently, who only giggled as Happy smirked and pinched her nose.

"This is... incredible", Avery whispered, her hand still covering her mouth. "We're going to be parents againᅳ Debbie is having a sibling."

Happy stood up, and with a swift move he pulled Avery to her feet and into his arms. A burden just got lifted from both of them that they have carried with them for two years. All fear and anxiety, all negative feelings seemed to just disappear now.

Avery sobbed into his shoulder, soaking his shirt with her tears of joy as her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck while his arms were wrapped around her waist, his face was halfway buried in her hair.

Happy loosened one arm and Avery also let one arm fall down her side to put it around Debbie, who had joined them and wrapped her little arms around both of them.

"I told you it would work", Happy whispered against Avery's hair, nothing but relief in his raspy voice. "Now we are complete."

Avery made a noise that sounded like a sob and a laugh at the same time. She sniffled a few times and quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks before nodding eagerly.

"That we are, now everything really is perfect", she sniffled, her voice thick with emotion as she ran a hand through Debbie's hair. "You're going to be the best big sister ever."

"I will, I promise", Debbie exclaimed, showing a toothy smile. "Cookie will love the baby too!"

"Well, let's hope so", Happy chuckled, who had now actually come to terms with his wife's cat and sometimes caught himself bringing the fur ball onto the couch with him when the girls were out and he was home alone. "As soon as we know what it's going to be, you can choose the name. If that's okay with Mom too."

"It is", Avery nodded immediately. This was a way for them to show Debbie that she was just as important, that it wasn't just her and Happy making decisions, but that they wanted to include Debbie as well. "I know you'll find a great name."

Debbie jumped up and down with excitement as if she had eaten too much sugar. Then she disappeared into the hallway and shortly afterwards they could hear Debbie telling Cookie that she was having a sibling.

Avery snorted a laugh. "Let's see if she's still as excited when the baby keeps her from getting enough sleep."

Happy just shook his head, laughing. "That kid's sleep is so deep, she wouldn't even wake up if we put the baby right next to her."

"Okay, yeah, that's true", the redhead replied with a grin before standing on tiptoes before kissing Happy thoroughly, a content sigh flowing into the kiss.

The SAA cradled her closer to him, his fingers curling slightly around her top as he let the kiss become more passionate. Only when both were out of breath did they break the kiss, their foreheads leaning against each other's.

"I love you, little girl", he croaked, running the tip of his thumb over her bottom lip.

"And I love you, baby", she whispered back, smiling widely.

This was her life nowᅳ and she wouldn't want it any other way.

ᚔ

authors note; so, this was the ending because I kinda lost motivation for this story. Now that I've written the last chapter I'm kinda sad their story ends here. Maybe I'll write a sequel in the future but I'm not sure yet since I'm struggling anyway at the moment when it comes to writing [feeling extremely insecure about my writing lately]. But maybe keep this in your library because if there should be a Sequel in the future, I'll post an update here! Thank you all for the support on this story, it was definitely one of my favorites to write. 🥰