RUBY'S SOFT COOING sounds filled the bedroom with warmth, Nola and Happy unable to even take their eyes off the little girl lying between them. With nothing but unconditional love and admiration, they watched every little movement, taking in every moment.

"Look how curious she is", Nola remarked enthusiastically, letting a soft laugh slip past her lips as Ruby's big, curious eyes took in her surroundings again, her tiny face scrunched up skeptically. "Watching her is giving me baby fever all over again."

"Jesus, slow down, woman", Happy chuckled, tiredness clearly etched into his features; but he wasn't even thinking about sleeping. "But who knows, maybe in a few years.."

Nola's eyebrow shot up, her smile turning into a grin. "Does that mean you want more kids?"

"Dunno. Never thought I wanted any kids at all", Happy replied honestly, looking down at Ruby as she cooed again, the soft noises secretly melting his heart. "But this little girl here changed my mind pretty quickly."

With his head still propped up with his hand, he used his other hand to place it on Ruby's stomach, rubbing it in circular motions over the yellow bodysuit with the little bears. "Would it be okay if we visit my ma with her?"

"Yeah, she's really good at making us all soft for her. And she doesn't even have to do anything at all for that", the blonde chirped proudly, letting out an 'awe' when Ruby immediately made eye contact with Happy when he placed his hand on her stomach. There was something about seeing him as a father that really grabbed her, making her fall in love with him all over again. "Look at the way she looks at you. I bet you're already her hero."

"I better hope so", grumbled the SAA, allowing his lips to curve into a smile. "Isn't the dad always supposed to be the first hero?"

Nola let out a soft hum, nodding firmly. "Absolutely. At least that's how it should be."

She was aware of how lucky she was to have found someone like Happy, someone who wouldn't let her lift a finger, who spoiled her and got up at night to bring her Ruby. It wasn't as if she couldn't do it herself, but she gave birth only three days ago and she still felt soreᅳ so she was grateful for any help.

But to answer his question, Nola nodded. "Sure, we can visit your mom. But maybe we'll wait a few more days until I can sit for longer."

"We have all the time, little girl", Happy assured her, he absolutely didn't want to rush her. And if anyone would understand, it was his mom. "Are you sure you're already ready for that party later? I can go alone with Ruby."

"Thanks, baby", she smiled before sitting up a little so she could lean against the headboard, shaking her head eagerly. "No, I wanna come with you, I'll be fine. And I want to see the others too. And, I mean, it's not really a party, right? We're all just gonna sit together."

Apart from Bobby and Gemma, no one had seen the new family member yet. Nola had been too tired to even think about visitors, but she had promised that as soon as they were out of the hospital, they would stop by the clubhouse so that everyone could meet the new princess.

"Okay good", Happy nodded, knowing that Nola would be honest with him if she wasn't ready, which made him proud that she was slowly learning that it was okay to say 'no'. "I'm taking a shower, want me to get you something before?"

"Maybe a bottle for her, I think she's getting hungry." Nola smiled as Happy scooped the small bundle into his hands and then placed Ruby in her arms. "Hi baby", she cooed happily, nudging the girl's tiny nose with the tip of her own.

"I'll be right back", Happy told her, chuckling on the way out as Nola only had eyes for Ruby. By now he knew how to make a bottle, so it didn't take long before he came back with one and handed it to Nola. "You okay here?"

"Yes, thanks baby", Nola said softly, flashing him a grateful smile. "Go take a shower and take some time for yourself, okay?"

"Don't need time for myself when I can be with you guys", he murmured as he bent down a little to press a kiss on top of his Old Lady's head and run a hand over Ruby's head before heading to the bathroom.

ᅳ

FULLY DRESSED, Happy returned to the bedroom, his brow furrowed with concern as he saw stray tears drip from Nola's chin as she rocked a sleeping Ruby in her arms.

"Hey, what happened?" He settled onto the bed, the mattress giving way beneath him as he got into the right position to pull Nola into his side, his arm snaking around her shoulder as her soft sniffles fueled his concern. He looked down at her intently, her face buried in his chest. "Talk to me, baby, please."

Nola's lips trembled, her voice only a whisper as fear gripped her. "He'll do anything to get to her, I just know it."

"Who? Alden?" Happy huffed a bitter snort, pulling her closer to him, his grip on her firm and protective. "He won't, not as long as I'm around, little girl."

The feeling of helplessness grew the longer Nola looked down at her daughter, more tears filling her eyes as Ruby's fingers wrapped around her index. "There was a reason he almost killed me back then, it wasn't just one of his usual tantrums."

"But that's what you said in court, that he was just having another one of his rage fits", Happy grunted, gently pushing her back a little so he could look at her. When she kept her head down, he pinched her chin between his fingers and forced her to look up. "What happened, Nola?"

Nola took a deep breath. "I was pregnant before, it didn't end well." Running a hand through her blonde strands, she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I had a miscarriage and Alden blamed me, took all his anger out on me. He was so fuckin' mad at me that I was afraid he wouldn't come to his senses anymore. That was the first time I ended up in the hospital."

As the sobs tore through her as all the memories came flooding back, she shook her head frantically. "He always wanted kids, now he has one and will do anything to get his rights back."

"No",the deep sound of a low growl came from deep within Happy's chest, Nola's face now cupped firmly in his hands, the anger he felt clearly visible in his dark orbs. "No reasonable judge will give him his rights back, he won't get to you or our daughter, you hear me?"

The veins in his forehead throbbed and his jaw was clenched so tightly that his teeth were grinding under the pressure. How could a man ever go so far as to treat his wife like that? He would never and would never want to understand. "He won't hurt you again, little girl."

Feeling for his Old Lady, especially after hearing she had had a miscarriage, he rubbed his thumbs against her wet cheeks, letting out a sigh. "You could've talked to me. Why are you carrying this shit around with yourself, woman?"

"Because I wanted to let the past rest. I finally had a reason to move on, to start over", she explained, followed by another sob as she let her forehead fall against Happy's, her tears now streaming down his hands. "But what if he does? What if he does find a way? You don't know him, he..heᅳ"

"Stop it, Nola", Happy grunted, his tone almost stern as he shook his head vigorously, pressing a gentle kiss against her lips. "You have to trust me here, baby. If he does find a way, I'll be the first toᅳ", Happy paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I'll fuckin' kill him if he comes near you or our girl, and I'm dead serious about this."

For a long moment, Nola stared at her boyfriend, her glassy doe eyes studying his features. Her sobs died down, huffing and puffing as she let his words sink in. "Would you really do that? For me?"

"For you? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Happy asked, unable to suppress a snort as he looked at Nola, slightly irritated. "You're my Old Lady, I'd do much more for you."

"I'm your Old Lady?" Her eyes lit up, her mood instantly shifting. Sure, she was his girlfriend, but he'd never officially called her his Old Lady.

"I just told you I'd kill someone for you and that's your only question?" Happy couldn't quite believe it, to which he just crooked his eyebrow skeptically. "You're okay with that? That I kill people?"

"Look." With a sigh, Nola shifted to a more comfortable position, looking down at the girl in her arms for a moment before looking back up at Happy with gentleness in her gaze. "I know you tried to keep it all away from me, but I'm not stupid, nor blind or deaf. Have you ever heard your nickname, Killer? It must come from somewhere."

"So you knew about it all the time?", Happy  asked, a little taken back which wasn't often the case. "And it didn't scare you away? Doesn't bother you?"

"Yes, I picked up a few things and maybe even my Dad and Gemma. They didn't give me a full, detailed answer, but enough to put two and two together. Also, the blood on your clothes and shoes sometimes..", she trailed with a shrug, smiling faintly when she thought she saw a  hint of panic flash in his eyes.

"I love you the way you are, and even though it was a bit of a shock for me at first, I know who you really are, that you would never hurt someone close to you", she reached to place a hand against his cheek. "You're not going to get rid of me, Lowman, don't worry about that."

"You could've said something, woman", the SAA grumbled, allowing himself to close his eyes for a moment and enjoy her touch before sternly looking at her again, cupping her palm with his. He pressed a kiss against the curve of her palm, sincerity lingering in his gaze. "Good, because I have no idea what I'd do without you and Ruby."

"Good thing you don't have to think about it", she whispered against his lips, stealing a kiss from them. "I love you, Happy, the whole package."

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, his hand slipping to the back of her neck to pull her into another, more passionate kiss. "I love you too, little girl. And now give me the little munchkin so you can take a shower, too."

"Yes sir", she chuckled softly before placing Ruby in Happy's arms, giving him another kiss on the cheek and climbing off the bed. "Oh, by the way, Ginny's coming on Friday and stays until Monday, is that okay?"

"Sure, if she's happy with the couch, otherwise she can take my room in the clubhouse", he told his Old Lady, his eyes scanning her body, which he still couldn't get enough of, as she took off her white top. "Are you flirting with me?"

At his teasing undertone and mischievous grin, Nola threw her top at him, a soft laugh vibrating in her chest. "Maybe I do, but you'll still have to wait a while longer for some sexy quality time."

"That's going to be hard but I can live with that", he retorted with a smirk. Happy meant his words, he was able to keep it in his pants for a few weeks, which didn't mean it was easy. "Still hard to see this everyday and having to keep my hands off you", he added, his voice dropping to a low croak.

"Hey, it's not easy for me either, seeing you all the time running around shirtless", she replied in a duh-tone, blowing him a kiss as he just flashed him a sweet smile. "But who knows, maybe I'll have a surprise for you tonight that will make the wait easier."

And with that she left the bedroom, giggling to herself when he just called after her, telling her she couldn't just leave him with that.

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