JUST AS HAPPY was on his way out, his hand already on the doorknob, Ruby ran up to him and wrapped her short arms around his jeans-clad leg.

"Don't go, daddy." There was a hint of unease in Ruby's quiet voice, the usual sparkle in her eyes fainter than usual.

"Shouldn't you get ready with mommy? You have to be at daycare soon." Happy gently pulled her back to crouch down in front of her, hiding the anger he still felt from his daughter. She didn't have to see his other, darker side. But Alden's visit brought out the worst in him. "Why don't you want me to leave, bug?"

"I don't wanna go to daycare today, I wanna stay with Mommy and you." Ruby nodded her head determinedly, her brown curls bouncing up and down. "And you have to stay in case the man from yesterday comes back."

Nola also appeared in the hallway, catching the last words. She felt guilty as hell as she heard the slight fear in Ruby's excited tone. "He won't come back, baby."

"You don't know that, mommy", Ruby shot back eagerly, looking at her mother as she snuggled her back against Happy's chest. "Who was that man anyway?"

Happy and Nola shared a look, both unsure of how to answer. Ruby was at an age where she asked a lot of questions and wanted answers to everything. And most of the time they had an answer for her three-year-old, but now?

It was Happy who finally nodded in Nola's direction, assuring her that he was okay with the truth, even if he secretly preferred to keep lying to Ruby, never telling her about Alden.

"Hap..we can't do that", the blonde swallowed, instinctively wrapping her arms around her body. The thought alone made her shudder. "You're her dad, nobody else."

"I don't like it either, but it's better that she hears it from us than from someone else, little girl." Happy stood up, scooped Ruby into his arms and then gently pushed Nola into the living room and towards the couch.

Ruby's eyes searched for those of her parents. Confused, she looked at both of them, who took a seat next to her after Happy had sat her down on the couch. "What are you wanting to tell me?"

"Iᅳ well",  Nola paused, tucking her blonde hair behind her ears as she looked helplessly at Happy. "I can't.."

"It's okay, mommy." Ruby patted her mom's leg, smiling up at her. "Take your time."

Nola awed at the sweet words, showing her once again how understanding Ruby already was for her age, how sweet and kind her daughter was. A smile broke out on Happy's face too, rubbing his large hand over Ruby's head before flashing his wife an encouraging look.

"She'll understand, baby", he croaked confidently. "But we can also wait if that's what you want."

Nola folded her hands in front of her mouth, taking a deep breath. Then she shook her head. "No, if she's going to know, she should know now."

Because there was a chance that Alden would show up again, or that he would try something else. He certainly wanted Ruby to know who he was, that he was her biological father, and he would do everything in his power to make it happen. Happy was right, Ruby should hear it from them.

"The man who was here yesterday, he's your real dad", Nola finally began with a heavy heart, placing a comforting hand on Ruby's hands that were resting in the girl's lap, a gasp slipping from her lips. "I know that's a lot. But he's not a good man, he never was. He hurt me a lot and I wanted to protect you from him."

Happy didn't say anything at first, but watched Ruby from the side, rubbing his hand up and down her back as he saw the change in Ruby's little face. She tried her best to understand everything Nola had just told her, and he could see the information racing through Ruby's mind.

"And Happy helped me, made sure Alden couldn't hurt me anymore. He was there from the beginning; when you were still in my belly, when you were born. Happy always took care of you and me, especially when I needed him the most", Nola explained, her voice cracking, once again realizing how grateful she was to have met Happy. "Happy will always be your daddy, your only daddy, no matter what. That's why we wanted to make it official."

"That was really nice of daddy", the three-year-old replied, her voice soft. She was overwhelmed, they could see it, but a small smile still graced her lips. "What does making it official mean, mommy? And why did the other man hurt you? That's not nice."

"No, it's not, bug. Some people are just mean and angry for no reason", Happy explained as he pulled his daughter on his lap. He also pulled Nola closer by her wrist as he watched her quickly wipe a few tears from her cheeks. "You and a few others know I'm your dad; but it has to be on paper so that everyone else can see that I'm your daddy, that's what we mean by making it official."

"I don't want that man to be my daddy", Ruby suddenly whimpered, shaking her head frantically as she threw her little arms around Happy's neck after turning around in his lap and clung to him like a monkey. "You're my daddy! Everyone has to know that!"

Ruby's words hit the stoic, otherwise so calculated biker right in the feels. Clearing his throat, he buried his face in his daughter's curls to hide how emotional he was actually gettingᅳ but he couldn't hide anything from Nola, she knew him better than anyone else by now.

The blonde literally soaked up the moment, her chest filled with an indescribable warmth, relief rushing through her body now that the truth was finally spoken.

"I always told you, she's a daddy's girl", Nola said with a small smile as she snuggled against Happy's arm, her head resting on his shoulder.  Gently, she brushed some curls out of Ruby's face. "You'll always be daddy's baby. The other man will never come near you again."

Ruby was a little hesitant, her fear of the other man not yet completely gone. Still, she trusted her parents. "Promise?"

"Promise, bug", Happy croaked sincerely, holding Ruby with one arm, the other draped over Nola's shoulder. "Your mom and I will always protect you, you hear me?"

"I believe you, daddy", Ruby chirped with a sheepish smile, still clinging to Happy.

"Always", Nola added firmly, smiling encouragingly. "And maybe we'll even have a little surpriseᅳ but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that."

While Ruby was in the kitchen with Happy earlier to prepare breakfast, Nola had already called her gynecologist, who had also looked after her during her first pregnancy, and got an appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

Ruby's little hands flew to her face, planted firmly against her cheeks, and she gasped loudly. "I love surprises!"

A lighthearted laugh rumbled through Happy's chest. He already knew about the appointment and was at least as excited as Ruby. "We know that, bug."

"But you have to be patient a little longer." Nola held out her arms, waiting for Ruby to climb onto her lap. "And now we'll let Daddy leave, he needs to be at the clubhouse soon."

"Noooo! Daddy needs to stay here", the three-year-old pouted, looking at her father with her irresistible puppy eyes. "Please, daddy."

Happy cursed under his breath, already back on his feet. He couldn't say no to the girl, but he had to talk to the guys about Alden. "How about you stay home today. You and Mommy do something nice and then you come to the clubhouse later?"

Ruby's eyes lit up immediately. "I like that. Can we do that, Mommy?"

Happy flashed Nola an apologetic look, but the blonde just shot him a smile before looking down at Ruby. "Fine, but tomorrow you're going back to daycare, okay?"

"Okay", Ruby promised eagerly and climbed off Nola's lap. "I'll pick out a dress!"

And with that she raced off to her room, probably to rip every single dress out of her closet and try them on, leaving Happy and Nola chuckling.

"She took it better than expected", Nola finally said when Ruby was out of earshot, exhaling in relief while standing up, wrapping her arms around Happy's waist. "Make sure my dad doesn't do anything stupid, okay? And neither do you!"

"She's a smart girl, baby", Happy croaked. His expression darkened for a moment, but he nodded reluctantly. "I won't, and neither will Bobby. But I won't wait long, Nola."

"I know", the blonde sighed, placing a soft kiss on Happy's lips. "I just don't want anyone to get in troubleᅳ I need you here with me, baby."

Happy's response was only a grunt before he cupped Nola's face in his hands and kissed her, the kiss slow and affectionate, their lips quickly finding a rhythm. Only when both needed some air did he pull back and place another kiss on her forehead.

"Rat's already outside. You are not going anywhere without him", Happy told her sternly, looking down at his Old Lady. "Understood?"

"I wouldn't risk anything, you know that", Nola replied firmly before shooing Happy to the door. "Now go, the faster Ruby and I can get to the club. And send Rat in, there's still some breakfast left."

"Yes ma'am", Happy winked with a grin, making Nola chuckle, the blonde swatting his arm gently. "I love you, little girl."

Nola snorted a small laugh, shaking her head. "I love you, baby."

And with that, Happy disappeared out the door where she had followed him, as always an uneasy feeling forming in the pit of her stomach when he left the houseᅳ despite the fact that he was always armed. It was just something she still had to get used to, the constant worrying.

ᅳ

CURSES AND MURMURS rippled through the group, the guys sitting uncomfortably in their seats as Bobby shot up with Jax, both placing a hand on Happy's shoulders as he grabbed Wayne Unser by the collar and slammed the old man into the nearest wall after the former cop had entered the room.

"It was your fuckin' job to tell us when Alden was going to be released", Happy snarled, his breath coming fast and heavy as his grip tightened on Unser's collar. "Do you have any idea what could've happened yesterday?!"

"I'm sorry, son." Unser raised his arms defensively, shooting Bobby and Jax a look that he was okay before looking back at Happy. "Nobody told me, or you would've heard about it from me."

"Hap, come on", Jax tried calmly, tugging Happy's shoulder. "We're all pissed, but it's not Wayne's fault."

"Hate to say it, but we can't blame him if no one told him", Bobby added with a sigh, squeezing Happy's other shoulder. "Beating up an old man now won't change anything."

"It would be nice if that didn't happen." Unser sighed, looking at Happy as he slowly let go of his collar, the menacing look sending a shiver down Wayne's spine. "You know I would've never kept this from you. Apparently the release date was changed spontaneously."

"How can this happen without anyone noticing?" Jax asked, tilting his head to the side, a mix of anger and confusion in his tone. "Why does a guy like him get out early anyway?"

"Good behavior, I guess", Unser explained with a shrug of his shoulders.

Happy just scoffed, letting go of the old man before running his hands over his face, feeling all eyes on him. "I don't give a shit why he got out early. Fact is that he has to disappearᅳ better today than tomorrow."

"Absolutely", Bobby agreed while sitting down again, bracing his hands on the table. "We need a plan, a fast plan."

"All we have to do is get him alone", Tig chimed in, leaning slightly over the table. "And then bury him where no one can find him. Shouldn't be a problem for Hap and me."

"It's not that easy", the SAA grunted, his expression grim as sat down. "Nola needs me out here. If Alden disappears now..suspicion will fall on us immediately."

"You think anyone would actually look for him?", Juice asked as he rolled the ash from his cigarette on the inside of the ashtray. "I mean, no one's gonna miss a guy like him. As far as we know, he didn't have anyone really close to him except Nola."

"But he's still on parole." Wayne leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. It was an exception that he was allowed to attend a club meeting, but it wasn't his first time. "That means his parole officer checks in on him regularly."

"Which means we have to wait until no one cares about him anymore", Jax figured, rubbing a hand over his face before putting his elbows on the table and placing his head in his hands. "So that means our hands are tied."

"Hate to say it, but yes", Unser nodded in the background, looking around. "I can check how long he's on parole and if I could possibly shorten the time."

"You could?" Happy's head snapped in Unser's direction. "Do it. And I want him a restraining order against him. I swear if he gets close to Nola or Ruby againᅳ"

"He won't", Wayne interrupted the killer determinedly, understanding the man's anger. "The restraining order will be out as soon as the cops find out that he showed up at your house yesterday. I'll take care of it."

"Good, because I don't give a damn what happens then. If I see him near my daughter again, I'll kill him with my bare hands", Bobby said, his words full of disgust for his former son-in-law.

Bobby was always the reasonable one in the group, the one who wanted to find solutions without shedding blood. But not this time, this was about the safety of his daughter and granddaughter.

"Whatever happens, we got your back", Jax said firmly, his gaze shifting from Happy to Bobby. "But we're doing it smart, waiting for the right time, and until then we're not letting Nola or Ruby out of our sight."

"Thanks, Pres", Happy replied appreciatively, looking at the others as well. "Thanks, guys. I'll make sure it won't take too long."

"Aye, that's what we're here for, brother." Chibs slammed his hand down on the table, leaning forward a little. "Nobody hurts our family and gets away with it."

Approval came from all sides in all forms, everyone ready to protect Happy's family.

Happy and Bobby shared a determined look and a brief nod, neither of them happy about having to keep their feet still for the time being. But Jax and Unser were right, they had to play it smart.

word count; 2526