HAPPY'S DEEP, RASPY LAUGH tickled her skin as Tessa glanced at the alarm clock next to her and let out a whine, definitely not ready to start the day and leave the warm bed just yet, while Happy's arms were wrapped tightly around her small figure, cradling her against his chest.

A soft giggle slipped past her lips as his morning erection pressed against her ass. The deep growl that filled her ears as he provocatively pressed his hard cock against her flesh made her bite her lower lip, sending a shiver up her spine.

"You know..we still have the house to ourselves", she trailed, a smirk dancing around her lips. "So we could just repeat the things we did yesterday", she purred in a whisper against his lips after turning her head so she could look at him fairly well, an even wider grin resting on her natural face as she started  grinding her ass against his pelvis.

"I want that cock buried inside me again with you fuckin' me good and hard." Happy's ragged breathing hit her neck as those words came out of that dirty mouth of hers, his calloused hand making its way from her stomach up to her breasts.

With a grunt, he cupped one of them in his palm, massaging and kneading it. Since both were still naked, they had relatively easy access to everything their bodies had to offer.

As a soft moan left her throat, her nipple being rolled between Happy's thumb and forefinger, she tipped her head back against his chest and pushed her ass back against his cock, causing it to slip between her cheeks, the tip teasing her hole.

"You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you from behind and watch that perfect ass while your needy moans bounce of the walls, little girl", he croaked against her ear as a needy whimper fell from her lips, just the way he liked it. "Roll over and lift your ass up for me, baby."

Obedient as she was to him, Tessa didn't hesitate for long, grinding her ass against his pelvis once again, giving him an innocent smile as she rolled onto her stomach, arching her back a little and lifting her ass to give him a better view.

"You like what you see?" Her soft, expectant gaze rested on him as he knelt behind her, his hands roughly grabbing her hips. With her head turned slightly towards him so she could admire his body, she totally swooned at the sight. God, she could look at that perfect man all day. The tattoos, the muscles, the way his hands slid over her backside.

Fuck, she could already feel the slick of her own juices between her legs. Her pussy clenched at the thought of his length, his cock buried deep inside her, making her whimper and almost drool.

"You... naked in my bedᅳ I could stare at that all day", he said, his husky voice sounding clearly aroused. Agonizingly slowly, he let two fingers slide through the glistening slit, spreading her flush lips before teasingly brushing his fingertips against her entrance. "Fuck, so wet again for me, little girl."

"Mhmm..", was all that fell over Tessa's lips while she pushed her ass back, begging for more with that gesture.

A deep, almost dark chuckle vibrated in Happy's chest as the spongy texture of her throbbing pussy closed around his fingers, already pulsing when he pumped into her just twice and covered his fingers with her juices.

His cock twitched against her ass, ready to get swallowed by her warmth. As he wanted to say something, to tease her with more words, the ringing of his cell cut through the tension in the room, earning an annoyed groan from both parties.

Happy waited a moment. If it was important, the person would call againᅳ and that's exactly what happened.

"Shit, sorry", he grumbled, pulling his fingers out of her, her juices leaving a shimmering gleam on them. "Stay here, don't move", he ordered while pointing a finger at her, flashing her a grin as he left the room to answer the call.

"This can't be true", the Laney woman cried out, pouting as she let her face fall into the pillow beneath her. At least it smelled like Happy. For a moment, the idea of taking care of her own crossed her mind, her hand already sliding under her stomach, on its way to her center.

Just a moment before she was about to push hand between her slightly spread legs, Happy came back into the room, throwing his phone on the bed before fishing fresh clothes out of the drawers of his dresser, looking like he was in quite a hurry.

"I have to head out, Jax needs something", he let her know, running a hand over his bald head. "I don't want you to leave the house. Gemma's gonna bring Sawyer and Baxter over in a few", he explained simply, his gaze landing on the confused raven-haired woman before he slipped into his boxers, then his jeans and then his shirt.

With all the quick, hectic movements as he attached his gun and knife to his belt, Tessa's eyes could hardly follow him. With an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, she wrapped the thin blanket around her body after she stood up and slowly walked towards him.

"What's going on, Happy?", she asked, her tone filled with concern and determination.

Sighing, he reached for her face, their brown eyes locked. "Just do what I tell you, okay? You have to trust me on this, Tess."

"I trust you, but I want to know what's going on." Shaking her head, Tessa wrapped her delicate fingers around Happy's wrists, the blanket tucked under her armpits to keep her body covered. "I'm not like Gemma or Tara, Hap. I want to know what I'm getting myself into."

Happy closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before pressing a kiss to her forehead. He knew she wasn't like Gemma or Tara, but she still had to know when it was time to stop asking  questions and just do what she's told. But she would learn, soak up that information like a sponge the longer she would be by his side, he just knew.

"I'll tell you everything I can later, when I have time. And then we need to talk about some things, little girl", he rasped sternly, shooting her a look when Tessa started to protest. "Not now, Tess", he warned gently.

Thinking about it again, Tessa sighed, but eventually nodded. She really needed to develop a sensitivity to all of this and learn from Gemma and Tara. "Fine. Promise me to be careful, okay?"

"Always", he promised before claiming her lips again, her cheek melting against his palm as his tongue brushed against hers.

Rubbing his thumb against her cheek, he just looked at her for a moment without saying anything, his concern for her quite high after the news he had received from Jax just minutes ago.

After stealing another kiss from his lips, standing on her tiptoes so she could even reach them, Tessa finally let him go and watched him leave. Dropping the thin blanket, she dragged herself into the bathroom with a deep sigh to take a quick shower and get ready for the day.

ᚔ

"THE FUCK you mean he's gone?!" While Happy barked those words at the prospect, a guy in his early twenties with dirty blonde hair and a 'deer in headlights' expression on his pale face, the man flinched violently and ducked his head as Happy's hands clenched around the collar of his Kutte. "You had one god damn job, Prospect!"

"Hey man, give him a break", Jax chimed in, grabbing Happy's shoulder to pull the seething man with the murderous glint in his eyes away from their gulping Prospect, sending the younger one a glare himself. "You've done enough today, get out", he told him, nodding towards the large doors that led into Chapel.

"Iᅳ I'm really sorry, man. I wasᅳ", the man stuttered nervously, a big lump sitting in the back of his throat as he got cut off.

"Get. the. fuck. out.", the SAA snarled dangerously, his tone laced with so much anger even the guys lowered their heads, rubbing the tips of their noses.

"Aᅳalright." Gulping, the Prospect turned in his heel, his with fear-filled eyes glued to the floor beneath his feet on his way out.

"And close t' door behind ya'", Chibs hollered, shaking his head with a sigh as he slumped back in his chair. "Wha' are we gonna do now, boys?"

Once the doors were shut, Jax ran a hand over his exhausted face and walked back to his own seat at the head of the table, gesturing a pacing Happy to sit back down, too. "I don't know, but we have to find himᅳ he's a danger, especially for Tessa and Sawyer."

Sitting back down, his arms resting on the table, a scowl took over the Killer's face. "Fucker's gonna dieᅳ better soon. And when we find him, I wanna be the one don't it."

"Don't worry, man, he'll be all yours", Tig said with an eager nod, causing his black curls to bounce wit each nod, slapped his back. "And we'll be there for watch it."

"We will", Jax agreed with the slightly older SAA, rubbing his finger over his chin as he leaned back. "He hurt Taraᅳ I want my fair share."

"That shouldn't be a problem", Happy rasped, shrugging his shoulders. The more the fucker would suffer, the better.

"And until we find him, the girls won't be walkin' around alone", Chibs said, his upper body slightly bent over the table so he got a good look at everyone. "We all have t' keep our eyes open."

"We will." Juice turned around his laptop so everyone can get a look at the screen and read the information about Cal he's been looking for. "I gave it another try and was digging deeper this timeᅳ Caledon just signed a rental contract a few days ago."

Happy's hand slamming down on the table for everyone's attention, their eyes on his as he let out a low growl. "We're gonna check that out. I just hope he's stupid enough and hides there."

"I doubt it, man", Jax shook his head, sighing before he spread his arms. "But we're definitely goin' to check it out. Juice, Chibs", he addressed the Scot and their Intelligence Officer. "You two check the place out, if he's there, give me a call."

"And me", Happy told them, his serious gaze landing on both of them. "And don't kill him."

"Nah, we won't", Juice promised while closing his laptop, the address already in his head.

"Good, we're done here for now", Jax announced, slamming the gavel down on the table.

On their way out, the guys slapped Happy's back, showing him with this little gesture that they were there for him. By now they already had a feeling that there was something between Tessa and him, they were all just waiting for the two to announce anything. So, the guys could imagine how it must look like in Happy's mind at the moment.

Appreciating their support, Happy gave them a sincere look, trying to calm down a little. There was something else he needed to handle, something that was important to him. That's why he got in Jax' way before the blonde could leave Chapel.

"You need somethin' else?" Jax gaze met Happy's, his brow lifted.

"Do you have some of Abel's stuff you don't need anymore?", Happy asked, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe. "We decided that Tessa's gonna stay with me. With CPS up her ass I wanna make sure Sawyer has his own roomᅳ with everything a kid needs. But I spent most of my money on my ma's last hospital bill and new meds."

He hated to admit that he was short of money and Jax could see that. Slamming his hand against Happy's arm, the blonde smiled. "I got a garage full of games and other stuff you can look through if you want. And you could ask Lyla if she's still got some stuff from Piper leftᅳ I mean, Tessa and her are pretty close, I'm sure she'd love to help out."

Happy nodded, a sincere expression on his hard features. "Thanks man, appreciate it. I'll give you some money for the stuff anyway."

Jax waved it off, clearly not wanting any money from Happy. "Nah, keep your money, bro. And if you don't need the stuff anymore, just give it back."

"You sure?" Frowning, Happy ran a hand over his bald head, rubbing his neck afterwards. "I owe you one."

"You could tell me how serious things are between you and Tessa", Jax shrugged, a smirk forming on his lips as they made their way out of Chapel and towards the bar. "She your Old Lady?"

With the slightest smirk, his anger forgotten for a moment, Happy shrugged his shoulders. "Not officially, but I'm gonna make her my Old Lady tonight."

Sincerely happy for his brother, Jax shook his head with a smirk. "About timeᅳ she got you good."

"Yeah, she really is something special", Happy croaked, shaking his head at his own statement with a chuckle. He was actually getting an Old Lady, jumping into a relationship after years of being the lone wolf, thinking that a relationship would only complicate things.

And now he couldn't wait to put his crow on Tessa, claiming her as his and show everyone what a great woman he had found.

ᚔ

AS SOON AS SHE HEARD the door, already impatiently waiting for Happy to return, Tessa sat up from her shrunken position on the couch and looked up at Happy as he slowly approached her, his expression telling her that he didn't have good news.

"Can you tell me what's going on now?", she asked cautiously, his words from earlier still in the back of her mind. "Sawyer is sleeping, we can talk."

When Gemma was here earlier and noticed Tessa's worry, restlessness and uncertainty, it was the Matriarch who wanted to find out what was going on with Tessa. Hearing that she wasn't a fan of not knowing what was going on made the older woman smile. Gemma could still remember the first few months, maybe even years, as an Old Lady and how hard it had been for her not to bombard John with a thousand questions every time he had to leave spontaneously, leaving her and Jax alone.

'You have to learn to deal with it, baby, he'll tell you everything when he thinks it's the right time and thing to do', that had been Gemma's advice, which made Tessa no less frustrated, but she had accepted it with a sigh. There was nothing else she could do but to accept it.

But when Happy sat down next to her with a nod and a quiet grunt, she seemed a little more contentᅳ or relieved? It didn't matter as long as she would finally find out what was going on.

"What's wrong, Hap?" Her brow furrowed, a worried look in her eyes, she ran her fingertips over his cheek, his stubble scratching against her skin. "Long day, huh?"

"I'm sorry, Tess." Through his tired eyes he looked into hers, clearly seeing the confusion in them as he leaned back and patted his lap. "Come here."

Tessa didn't hesitate and climbed onto his lap, one leg to his left, the other to his right as her arms found their way around his neck. "What are you sorry for? What's going on?"

"Cal got away", he finally said, rubbing his palms along her thighs, a genuinely apologetic look in his darkening eyes. "Prospect untied him so the fucker could go to the bathroom, of course Cal didn't really have to take a piss and knocked the Prospect out at the first opportunity."

"Shit..this can't be for real. Why can't this shit just come to an end?" Tessa's eyes grew, then fear flashed in them before a film of tears coated her lenses, her lips quivering as Happy pulled her against his chest.

"We'll find him, baby, I promise", Happy croaked, soothingly running his fingers through her long black hair. Hearing her cry, even as Tessa tried everything not to let him notice, sucked big time. Her small figure trembled on his lap, trying to suppress a sob, her face half buried in his chest while her arms were now wrapped around his waist, her legs pressed tightly against his body. The woman was practically clinging to him.

And this made the killer even angrier. Witnessing how scared his woman was, even if she might deny it, fed his anger and murderous intent towards Cal immensely.

Baxter, who had just been lying in his basket, trotted over to the couch and lay down right next to Happy and Tessa, sniffing the crying woman while Happy's hand stroked his short, gray fur.

A soft, tear-choked laugh fell from Tessa's lips as Baxter's snout tickled her thigh, which was exposed since she only wore short PJ pants.

"Hi baby", she mumbled, her head now turned to the other side so she could look at the pit bull, a faint smile on her lips. Animals really did have the ability to make someone feel better.

And Happy did too. He was her rock, literally. Without him, her life would still be miserable, depressing and painful. Thanks to him, she had everything she needed. Sawyer, a home, even a dogᅳ and maybe even a man by her side.

After a thoughtful moment, Happy's fingers still running through her hair, her small frame shuffled on his lap. Pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, sniffling softly again, she searched for Happy's eyes. Those beautiful, deep brown eyes.

"What are we, Happy?", she asked, sounding almost shy as her fingers fumbled with the fabric of his shirt. "I know I want you, all of you, the whole package. But I need to know if you feel the same way or if you just want to have fun. Because that's something I can't do. I need to think about Sawyer, about meᅳ I want something real, raw, something that will last a lifetime in the best case scenario. He deserves a real family and to be honest..so do I", taking a deep breath, Tessa was about to add something, but didn't get the chance when Happy's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulled her head closer, and then his lips claimed hers.

It was a slow kiss, not one that could compare to the hard, rough kisses from last night. This one was full of passion, commitment, and affection, their tongues lazily dancing together.

Gripping his shirt, Tessa arched her back a little, bringing her body closer to his. Butterflies flew around in her stomach as his other hand now rested against her cheek, cradling her face closer than was possible as she savored his taste, taking in everything.

Only when they both ran out of air did they pull away, their breaths heavy as their lips still clung together.

"You think I would do all this for you if I just wanted to have fun?", he asked in a rasp, his quick breath hitting against her plump lips as his eyes searched for hers and his thumb slid over her lower lip. "I'm not good with words, but I want youᅳ the whole package", he winked with a slight grin as the corners of her mouth lifted.

"So..does that mean we are..", she trailed with a clear of her throat, sheepishly biting into her bottom lip.

"A couple?", he asked in a teasing tone, finding it kinda cute how embarrassed his girlfriend suddenly seemed. "Do you even wanna be my Old Lady?"

His girlfriend. He liked that.

"Oh, I definitely do", she whispered, her smile stretching from ear to ear. Her heart was pounding against her chest, joy and excitement bubbling inside her. But Ima's words were still thrumming in the back of her mind. "But Hap; no cheating, okay? I heard about that rule, Gemma told me about it today, I can't do that 'What happens on a run stays on a run' shit. I can forgive a lot of things, but not cheating."

"I wouldn't have accepted any other answer", he grinned, gently squeezing her face in his hands.

Listening to her words, Happy raised an eyebrow, proud smile on his lips. "Confiscating what's yours, huh? I like it."

"I mean it, Hap", she said with a low growl, playfully hitting his chest with the palm of her hand. "I don't want Ima to be right, or to find out that you had some fun with someone else. I want you for myselfᅳ even if that might sound possessive."

"What the hell did Ima tell you?" Happy let out a scoff. Shaking his head, he straightened up, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Just because we have this rule doesn't mean everyone uses it. Some Old Ladies let it slide out of fear of losing their Old Man, others are stubborn and stand their ground, like youᅳ and I like that, little girl", he told her, his tone softer than usual, sincerity lingering in it. "I won't cheat on you, okay?"

"Nothing special, just that I'll probably find you between some whore's legs at some point anyway, eating her out like you're a starving man. And that she'd have an easy time getting  you to fuck herᅳ which wouldn't be the first time", she muttered with a bitter aftertaste, hating the very idea of this scenario.

Sighing, Tessa shook the image off, moving her palms in circles over his chest. "And what if you have to leave for a few days, maybe even a week? What if you can't wait until you're back home?"

Mumbling something incomprehensible under his breath, Happy wiped his face, clearly annoyed by Ima's attempt to ruin his relationship with Tessa. "You don't believe her, right? And hey, I can keep it in my pants for a few days, especially when I have a woman at home who no one can replace anywayᅳ none of the Croweaters or Sweet Butts can keep up with you, baby."

Letting his words sink in, Tessa remained silent for a moment, unable to hide how moved she was by his words. "You better keep it in your pantsᅳ otherwise you'll lose all of this", she replied, pointing her finger at herself, eliciting a gruff laugh from Happy.

"I'm not stupid and gonna risk that for a meaningless fuck, believe me", he croaked with a grin, capturing her lips once again for a much more demanding kiss in which they both lost themselves again for a moment.

Gently pushing her face away, he pinched her chin between his index finger and thumb. "I'll design the tattoo you're getting in the next few days. Think about where you want it and if you want to add anything special, okay?"

"So are you really going to give me your crow?", she asked again, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming, still perplexed and completely off track.

The Laney woman still couldn't believe that she actually had a boyfriend, and one who knew how to treat a woman right and who accepted her son. "I trust you, Hapᅳ just surprise me, okay?"

"I told you", he murmured, shrugging his shoulders before nodding curtly. "Okay, I'll think of something."

"I'm sure it will turn out better than I can even imagine", she whispered, a hint of pride in her tone, knowing that she was now officially Happy Lowman's Old Lady. "We have to tell your mom."

"You can do that this weekend when you visit her", he winked. Rubbing one hand along her thigh, he put his other arm around Baxter, making sure to give their dog just as much attention, who had made himself comfortable next to them.

Tessa looked at him again, confused, whereupon he explained. "I have to do some things around the house and Ma wants to see us again. You and Sawyer are leaving on Friday morning, I'll be there on Saturday. Is that okay with you?"

"That's a surprise", Tessa admitted, but she missed Maria too and Sawyer would definitely be happy to see her again. "I just have to talk about that with my bossᅳ although I still have to talk to Gregor anyway", she said with a sigh, but then smiled away her worry about getting fired. "But I can't wait to see Maria again. What do you have to do around the house?"

"He's not going to fire you, although I'm still not a fan of your jobᅳ even less so now", the SAA grumbled, squeezing her thigh gently. "You're mine, don't want other guys drooling over pictures of you. And about the houseᅳ you'll see that when we get back."

"Mh..I'm curious to see what you're up to", she winked gently. Her features softened as she looked at him, fully understanding his doubts, and brought a hand to his cheek. "I only want you, handsome. Fuck the guys who drool when they see a half-naked woman and jerk off to it. I'm not going to do this job for the rest of my life, just until I find another one that pays as well."

"It's not that easy, and you know it", Happy grunted, his features hard as stone with a hint of vulnerability carved into them. "You know it's my job to take care of you and Sawyer, right?"

"I know", Tessa hummed, running a hand through her hair. By now she was familiar with the egos of the men in the club, how no one really wanted their women to go to work. Yet most accept it. "But I don't want to be dependent on a man, I have been my whole life. I hope you understand that."

Not necessarily reassured but still understanding, Happy nodded. "I do, and I'm not a caveman who forbids his girlfriend from going to work. But I have one condition: you find another jobᅳ or at least stop taking nude photos."

"You're cute, you know that?" Tessa's lips curled into a smile before stealing a soft kiss from Happy's. "I'll talk to Gregor and tell him I'm not taking nude photos anymore. And I'll look for other jobs, I promise."

Definitely more satisfied with that answer, Happy finally agreed with a grunt. "I can live with that."

"Thanks baby." One question was still burning on the tip of Tessa's tongue, though. Rubbing the tip of her nose, she decided to just ask. "Have you really ever slept with Ima?"

"Do you really want to know?" Happy asked with a sigh in return, fearing that she wouldn't be happy with the answer. When Tessa nodded slightly, he just shrugged slightly. "A few times, like all of us. And not once did it mean anything, okay?"

"That's gross", the raven-haired girl muttered with a wrinkled nose, no longer sure if she really wanted the answer. But she had asked and now she had to live with it. "She really has slept with everyone?"

"Yeah, she has, but since a while she's staying away from the clubhouse. So whatever she says, she says it to fuck with you. Don't let her do that, you hear me?", he told her sternly, running his fingers through her hair again. Something he could do all day. "Now let's stop talking about that bitch. I wanna catch up on what we couldn't finish this morning", he croaked, grinning against her lips.

"I'm more than okay with that." A soft giggle fell from her lips as Happy stood up with her and threw her over his shoulder before he carried her into their bedroom, turning off all the lights on the way there.

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