TESSA FELT HER HEART pounding against her chest, her heartbeat getting stronger the more time passed on the clock that hung above the dressing table she was sitting in front of. Behind her, her mom, Maria and Gemma were working on her hair and make-up, making sure that she was slowly but surely getting ready for the big day.

Lyla and Tara stood at the side, both women already in their bridesmaid dresses. Tara was dressed in a dark green, ankle length dress that looked elegant and yet accentuated her curves, while Lyla wore a tighter dress in the same color. The latter definitely showed more skin, but not in a way that made it look cheapᅳ on the contrary.

Both women wore their hair down and in waves to match Tessa, whose only wish had been for the bridesmaids to choose a dark green dress, she had left the rest to them. It was important to her that her best friends felt comfortable, after all, they both had a completely different style.

"You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart." Elaine choked back a proud sob as she stepped back and looked at her daughter. "Happy won't be able to take his eyes off you."

"As if he ever could." With a grin, Gemma also stepped aside after giving Tessa the last touch of her make up with the fixing powder. Satisfied, she examined her work. "Perfect baby, it doesn't get any better than that."

Maria sighed wistfully, clutching her own face as tears welled up in her eyes that always held a certain warmth. "You look so beautiful, sweetheart. My son is a lucky man."

"Oh stop, you're gonna make me cry and I'll ruin my make up", Tessa whined, but a playful, appreciative smile graced her dark red lips. After avoiding looking in the mirror the whole time, she finally did so, and a quiet gasp immediately slipped past her lips. "Holy shit, I can't believe that's me!"

Her black hair, now long again, was styled in Hollywood waves, just as she had wanted. The waves flowed elegantly down her back, which she looked at from the side, speechless.

She couldn't be happier with her make-up either. Her skin was pale as always but with the right accents, with dark red lipstick and relatively simple eye make-up that only consisted of eyeliner, mascara and false eyelashes. It was her style, just the way she wanted it.

"I love it! You've really done a great job", Tessa exclaimed full of excitement, a feeling of anticipation filling her stomach as she couldn't wait to get Happy's reaction. Genuinely smiling, she glanced between Gemma, Maria and her mom. "Thank you for your effort, I know my wishes weren't easy."

"You only get married once, darling", Maria began, her words wise as always as she placed a hand on Tessa's shoulder. "The wishes can be a little more elaborate."

"I agree", Gemma hummed contentedly, smiling down at the young woman. "You look amazing, baby."

"I couldn't agree more", Elaine chirped, her voice as soft as ever.

After removing the necklace she wore around her neck, Elaine stepped behind Tessa and placed the dainty gold piece of jewelry with a moon pendant around her daughter's neck before sliding her hands onto Tessa's shoulders, looking at her through the mirror. "I bought the necklace when I found out I was pregnant with you. My plan was always to give it to you someday butᅳ", the brunette took a shaky breath, on the verge of tears as she smiled bravely into the mirror. "But unfortunately that never happened. But now it's yours. Only if you want it, of course."

Tessa swallowed hard as she let her mother's words sink in. A single tear rolled down her cheek, which Gemma immediately wiped away with a tissue. Of course, the matriarch wouldn't let her ruin her makeup.

"I love it, Mom, I really do." Sniffling softly, Tessa closed her hand around the moon pendant, just holding it for a while. Her head dipped up until her brown lenses met her mother's. "It's perfect, thank you."

"Oh, don't thank me for that, sweetheart." Elaine leaned forward a little to place a kiss on the top of Tessa's head, squeezing her shoulders before stepping back a little. "Okay, I'll go check on my grandchildren, after all I promised to help to get them dressed too!"

"And I should check on mine!" Gemma quickly wiped tears from the corners of her eyes, genuinely happy for Tessa and that she had found her mother. "Tara, Lyla, you help Tessa with the dress", she barked the order before leaving the room, making everyone laugh.

Lyla shook her head in amusement as she reached for the dress. "I'm wondering when she realizes that she can talk to us normally."

"That will never happen", Tara snorted with a smirk as she got up from the two-seater. "And if it does, I'll be seriously worried."

A soft laugh slipped past Elaine's lips as she reached for her clutch. "Yeah, she can be scary. You just have to know how to handle her."

"I think it's impossible to stand up to Gemma Teller-Morrow", Lyla muttered, shaking her head. When she reached Tessa, the blonde sighed in awe. "You're so pretty, girlᅳ I can't believe today is finally your big day."

"Me neither", Elaine agreed wistfully before nodding to herself. "Okay, see you later!"

Of course she would have loved to stay, but helping Tessa with the dress was the bridesmaids' job and Elaine didn't want to bother them unnecessarily. She also made the most of every minute she could spend with her grandchildren.

"I'm coming with you! Then we can both help with our grandkids", Maria called after Elaine, who was halfway out the door already, but turned around to face Tessa again. "You, my love", she began with deep emotion in her voice, her Spanish accent thicker than usual as she fought back a new wave of tears of joy. "You'll be the best daughter-in-law I could ever imagine. Thank you for giving me my grandchildrenᅳ my son knows how lucky he is."

"I love you, Maria", her voice barely louder than a whisper, Tessa looked up with a genuine smile at the woman who had been like a mother to her for years. "I'm just as lucky with Happyᅳ I couldn't imagine all this with any other man. So thank you for raising him to be the man he is today."

"It was a pleasure, love", Maria winked. She pressed a kiss on her soon-to-be daughter-in-law's cheek before hurrying to the door and joining Elaine in the hallway, leaving the three girls alone.

Both Lyla and Tara had watched everything in awe, clearly happy for their best friend. Tara spoke first as she held out a hand to help Tessa. "You finally have the life you always wanted. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"Good isn't nearly enough, Tara", the Laney woman murmured, a pool of different emotions in her brown eyes. "I'm truly blessed and wouldn't want to change anything about my current situation."

"Aww, no third baby soon?" Lyla asked to lighten the mood a bit before all three of them would start crying. "Too bad, I thought I might be a godmother after all", she added teasingly.

"Hey, you never know", Tessa wiggled her eyebrows before shaking her head, laughing. "But not for now. Still, I don't want to rule it out."

"Good answer", Tara chuckled as she took the dress off the hanger and pointed at Tessa's black silk robe. "Take it off or you'll never get into your dress."

"Yes ma'am." Tessa squeaked softly as Tara slapped her upper arm and then slipped out of her robe with a giggle, ready to finally get into her dress.

ᅳ

CHIBS' BREATH FLUTTERED briefly when he saw Tessa for the first time in her wedding dress, ready to walk her down the aisle. He appreciated that he was the first to see her like this besides the other women, the young woman ready for the man who was waiting for her outside in their garden and who was an absolute nervous wreckᅳ even if Happy would never admit that.

"Look at you, lass." The Scotsman shook his head proudly and reached for Tessa's hand to spin her around. "So beautiful, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Chibs", Tessa murmured with flushed cheeks, tears threatening to fill her eyes again. Chibs had been more of a father to her in the last few months than her own had ever been, so his opinion was important to her. "I think I chose the right outfit, it feels right."

"Ye' think?" Chibs snorted quietly as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek before offering her his arm. "Ye' definitely made the right choice. Are ye' ready for the big moment?"

"No, absolutely not. Are you ever ready for something like that?", she asked with a nervous laugh, her throat suddenly dry as the Sahara. "But I'm ready to spend my life with Happy, so yes. Did everything go well with the kids? Is Happy okay?"

"Hap's a freakin' mess, I've never seen him like this before. But don't tell him I told ye' about it", Chibs winked lovingly, his words drawing a laugh from Tessa. "Everything worked out. The guests are here, everything went well with the cateringᅳ ye' don't have t' worry about anything."

"My lips are sealed", the raven-haired woman whispered conspiratorially as she hooked her arm under his and took another deep breath. "Okay, perfect, then we can go."

"Good." When he noticed how nervous she was, he patted her hand reassuringly before leading her outside. "Here ye' go, sweetheart."

Tessa's breath threatened to hitch as her eyes immediately locked with Happy's, tears welling up in them as she saw his hard features soften and his lips part slightly as he laid his eyes on her, his whole body tense. She could see the full admiration and love in those beautiful dark eyes even from the distance.

Awe shouts and cheers were heard as Tessa let Chibs escort her to the front, waving to various guests and placing a hand on her chest as she spotted her children. Sawyer dressed in a bow tie suit and Summer in a dark green tulle dressᅳ both beaming as they spotted their mother.

"Mommy!" Sawyer couldn't stay seated, he was too excited. Instead, he ran towards Tessa and wrapped his little arms around her waist. "You look pretty!"

Tessa crouched down so she could pull her son into her arms, cradling his small figure against her chest while closing her eyes for a moment. "Thanks baby. You look handsome too!"

Sawyer peeled himself out of her arms and giggled as he showed off his outfit. "Daddy picked it out with me!"

Just like the guests, Tessa and Happy also burst into loving laughter when Sawyer was proudly showing off the outfit that he had picked out with his daddy.

"You did great, both of you", she praised him with a genuine smile before she stood up again, running a hand over Sawyer's head. "Are you going to sit down again, buddy?"

"Yes", the almost six-year-old chirped as he walked back to his seat and smiled at his daddy again, waving his little hand.

Tessa took another look around the beautifully decorated garden, amazed at how much space they actually had. Normally the area seemed much smaller. Then she walked the last few meters to the altar with Chibs, turning to him when they came to a stop.

"I love ye', lass", Chibs whispered as he placed a kiss on the young woman's cheek, his eyes filled with unshed tears as he looked down at her again. "Ye" will live a wonderful life, I promise ye'."

As Happy reached them, Tessa's breath hitched in her chest, her smile growing immediately as her eyes studied his outfit. It was simple. Dark jeans, a matching dark green shirt that matched the dress code, and his kutte over it. The gravel crunched under his freshly polished boots as he stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her.

"You look so beautiful, little girl", he croaked against her lips, planting a kiss on the corner of her mouth so as not to ruin her make-up. "So fuckin' pretty", he muttered under his breath, actually unable to take his eyes off her.

At the moment he really couldn't believe what a lucky bastard he was. He knew Tessa would look stunning, that she would take his breath away, but all of his expectations were only exceeded and he had to fight his own tears.

Which is why he buried his face in her hair, took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of her sweet perfume. "Are you ready for this, baby?"

"Always", she whispered, this time unable to blink away her tears. Tessa quickly wiped some tears from her cheek and looked up at Happy with a soft sniff, one hand resting against his cheek. "Let's do this, I finally wanna belong to you forever."

"You already do, baby girl", the SAA croaked proudly before turning to Chibs, shaking the man's hand before the two men embraced brotherly. "I'll take good care of her, you have my word", Happy promised, earning an appreciative nod from Chibs.

"I know, otherwise I wouldn't give her t' ye'", he answered honestly as ever before he flashed Tessa another smile and took a seat next to a beaming Juice, who, as always, enjoyed these events the most.

"Let's do this." Happy reached for her hand, her fingers immediately slipping between his as he led her the last few steps to the makeshift altar, which consisted of nothing more than a large arch with floral garlands.

Jax, who was Happy's best man, flashed her his famous Teller grin. "You look amazing, darlin'."

"Thanks Jax", she replied sincerely before smiling at her bridesmaids, both of whom were standing on the other side and were just as excited as she was, or so it seemed.

As Chibs stepped behind the arch, he cleared his throat, some sort of book in his hand. "Are the two of ye' ready?"

Happy and Tessa exchanged one last meaningful look and shared a smile before they turned to Chibs', hand in hand answering in unison with a 'we are'.

ᅳ

MUSIC PLAYED IN THE background while the guests danced through the garden, sat at the tables and chatted, or helped themselves to some of the food that was left over from the catering. The children sat at a separate table with craft supplies, coloring books and other games so they didn't get bored.

And the newlyweds stood in the middle of the garden, slowly moving to the music while Tessa's head rested on Happy's chest, her eyes closed while only a contented hum vibrated in her chest.

They had really done it, said 'I do'. Only now, hours after the words had fallen from her lips, did she realize that she was really married, that she had a husband. And it felt good, better than she ever imagined.

And Happy felt the same. Almost three years ago, he just wanted to stay the lone wolf he'd always been, laughing at anyone who told him he should find himself an Old Lady. And now he was glad that Tessa had come looking for him that Friday night, that their paths had crossed despite terrible reasons.

He would never trade the life he had now for the lonely single life he'd once enjoyed so much. He'd rather die than miss out on this.

"Tessa Lowman." Tessa's soft voice broke the comfortable silence. "I really like it, sounds just right."

The corner of Happy's mouth twitched upwards, letting her hand slip from his and dipping her chin upwards after placing his crooked index finger under it. "And that'll never change again. You and our kids will never have any other name."

"It's such a great feeling, isn't it?" Tessa asked, her smile as wide as a child's at Christmas. "We're finally a real family."

It wasn't possible for Happy to adopt Sawyer, because they would need the biological father's permission, which could be difficult, after all Cal was dead. But now that Tessa's name was changing, they could have Sawyer's name changed too.

It wouldn't have felt right if Sawyer had kept the name Laney while the rest of the family had Happy's last name.

"Feels damn good", the SAA agreed with a croak before claiming Tessa's lips, pulling her as close as possible.

For a moment, both lost themselves in the slow, loving kiss, Tessa's arms wrapped around his neck while one of his arms circled her waist and his other hand covered half of her face and neck, holding her in place.

Their tongues danced together as their bodies melted more into each other, the kiss stirring up anticipation for the night together later. Breathlessly, the two broke away from the kiss, Happy's forehead falling against Tessa's as they simply reveled in the moment for a while.

"Mommy, Daddy!" Sawyer came running, cautious as he had a giggling five-month-old Summer in his arms. "Can we dance with you?"

Chuckling softly, Tessa faced her son and lifted Summer from his arms, who she then placed on her hip. "Of course you can dance with us!"

"Come here, buddy." Sawyer was on Happy's hip a moment later, a giggle falling from his lips as he adjusted his glasses while Happy tickled his belly.

Her husband and their son together, a sight Tessa would never get enough of. "You two are just so cute!"

"Just like you two", the SAA winked, his gaze fixed on his wife and their daughter for a long moment. "I'm a really lucky guy."

"I love you, Happy Lowman", she hummed against his lips once she was close enough to him again.

"I love you, Tessa Lowman", he croaked, grinning as he retreated, slipping his free arm around her waist.

"And we love you", Sawyer sing-sang, nudging Summer's nose with the tip of his finger. "Right, Summer?"

The little girl only made giggling and laughing noises as she sucked on her hand and snuggled up to her mother, smiling at her father.

"Aww, we love you too." Tessa placed a kiss on Sawyer's cheek, then on the top of Summer's head. "You two are the most important thing to usᅳ and Baxter."

"That's right, you made us a real family", Happy told the boy, smiling as Sawyer's cheeks turned red and he was visibly happy about his parents' words. "And Baxter too, of course."

As if on cue, the family dog came over, his tail wagging happily as he circled the little family. If there was a perfect moment, this was it.

As the sun slowly dipped down the horizon and bathed the garden in a warm orange, the small area around the bride and groom filled with the rest of the guests as everyone swayed to the music. Tessa and Happy still arm in arm, their children and Baxter with themᅳ it couldn't get any better.

word count; 3219

ᅳ

authors note; so this was it! It hurts my heart to end this story but there will be for sure a second book in 2025, so that makes it a little easier. If you wanna get an update just keep this book in your library (there will be an announcement chapter once the second book is out) or give me a follow to get notifications, I'd appreciate it! Thank you all so much for the support, the many votes and especially the comments on this book, I appreciated every single one. You guys have no idea how much it motivates a writer to read what other people think about their stories. For the next few weeks/months, I'll focus on my other two Happy fics. SUMMER NIGHTS won't be a long one but there are still a few chapters left but my new one, WEST COAST, will be a longer one again. I'd appreciate it if you could check these out. 🖤🥀