•Ten Years Ago•

"Can I help you?"

Bishop looked up at the sound of a voice, a woman's voice, to see a tall brunette smiling at him. Instinctually, he smiled back, not even realizing it, and approached her.

"Hey, uh yeah, I wanted to see if you had any dogs up for adoption."

"Any?" The woman laughed. "Oh yeah, we do. Too many, actually." She came out from behind the counter and led him across the lobby to a locked door. "Looking for any particular breed?"

Bishop shook his head. "Just something friendly and sturdy."

"We have lots of those," she told him as they stepped through the door. "The little ones get adopted right away, the bigger ones have a longer stay sadly. Kids? Other pets?"

"Just me," he told her, "That's of the problem."

"Mmm," she nodded slowly. "These are our dogs, they're not in any real order but I do know there's a few big guys two rows over."

"I can just look on my own?"

"Sure," she said, heading back to the lobby. "I can answer any questions you may have and if you decide you want to take one out to the yard, just let me know."

Bishop nodded and strolled the aisles. He stopped at every cage and gave each dog a pet but there was only one he really liked. He poked his head out and asked Natasha for her help.

"Oh my god, he's a cutie, really sweet too," she remarked when Bishop pointed to the Australian Shepard.

"What's his name?" Bishop asked. "Crackers has to be bullshit."

Natasha laughed. "It is. We're not supposed to use their old names," she rolled her eyes. "Don't ask why."

"Did you name this poor dog Crackers?"

"No," she giggled. "One of the other women did." She opened the door and quickly clipped a leash on the dog, leading them both toward the sliding glass doors. "The gate is totally secure so you can play without the leash and let him run a bit."

Bishop crouched down and gave the dog a rough pet as Natasha removed the leash. She noticed his dog tags and leaned in closer, tapping them with her nail. "Military?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "Just got back from Iraq."

"Wow," she said with genuine surprise. "Welcome home."

"Thanks," he turned back to the dog, "Hoping this guy can keep me company. I need a new roommate."

"Oh are you making a commitment to Crackers?" Natasha asked with exaggerated surprise. "That's very quick."

"Not if I have to call him Crackers," he laughed.

Natasha laughed heartily. "Pending a name change, is Crackers the one for you?"

"I think so," he said excitedly. "What do I have to do to take him home?"

"Yeah," she grimaced, "It's not that easy. There's forms and stuff, you need references, it can take up to 10 business days."

"Shit," he laughed a little. "Alright. Need a blood sample too?"

Natasha looked at him and realized she was about to bend the rules for this guy for a reason she couldn't pinpoint.

"I'll tell you what?" She said, checking her watch. "I'll give you the paperwork, take it and fill it out, come back in about two hours when the adoption manager is gone and I'll make it work."

"Really?" He drew his head back, shocked by this random woman's kindness. "I appreciate it."

"Least I can do for a Vet," she said with a smile.

They went back to the front desk, leaving Crackers in his crate for the last time, and Natasha gave him the forms.

"It's nothing too invasive," she explained. "I'll waive the fee."

"No, you don't have to do that," he said staunchly.

She smiled and nodded. "Oh, umm, I'm Natasha."

"Bishop."

"Well, it was nice meeting you," Natasha said politely, offering him her hand.

"You too," he said, shaking her hand. "I'll see you soon."

Bishop went right back a few hours later, papers completed and fee prepared, to find Natasha and Crackers waiting for him.

"Hey," he said with a little wave. "Everything go smoothly?"

"It did," she beamed, "He's all yours."

"I really appreciate this," he told her. "Maybe we could meet for a drink, as a thank you."

Natasha grimaced a little. "I'm sorry, I'm actually seeing someone but I appreciate the offer."

"Lucky," he said under his breath. "Come on, Jack," Bishop said to the dog. "Let's get you outta here."

"That's a good name," Natasha said. "Not better than Crackers but it's good."

"Yeah, it's not bad," Bishop laughed. "Thanks for everything, Natasha."

"My pleasure, don't get in too much trouble."

The two looked at each other for a long moment, smirks curling the corners of their mouths both unaware of how this encounter would alter both of their futures.

•3 Years Ago•

"Bish," Natasha said urgently the second he answered his phone. "What are you doing?"

"Loading up dresses," he said, walking away from the table loaded with bricks of heroin and sequined tulle. "Why? What's up?"

"Uh, I need your help, m-my water just broke...at the kennel."

"Shit," he inhaled sharply "Okay. I'll be out there soon. I'm leaving now. Don't worry."

"Everything okay?" Tranq asked with concern.

Bishop nodded, visibly anxious now. "I'm not gonna make the run tonight. Tasha is in labor, her water broke."

"Shit," Tranq said, much calmer than Bishop had moments before. "Congratulations."

"She ain't here yet," he said nervously

"Go home," Tranq said. "Get a fucking shower, clean up. I'll get Natasha."

Bishop knew he was filthy. Not only had he been working and sweating all day, he was covered in dust, dirt and sand from an earlier ride.

"Thanks brother," Bishop said, pulling his keys from his pocket. "She's up at the kennel."

"Got it covered, I'll wait with her at the hospital till you get there."

Bishop went home and cleaned up, the whole time thinking about becoming a father. It wasn't something be had planned, nor had Natasha, but he had been irresponsible, one time, and there he was. He was happy though, scared too, as he helped Natasha prepare for their child.

"I wasn't expecting you," Natasha whimpered as Tranq stepped into her office. "Is Bishop okay?"

"I told him to take a shower," Tranq chuckled. "He's gonna need us at the hospital."

Natasha laughed. "I didn't think of that. Thanks."

"Come on," he said, offering her a hand. "You okay?"

"It hurts," she admitted.

"That's what I hear," he joked.

Tranq walked with Natasha to the truck, stopping twice when contractions hit, and helped her in. Giving her hand a squeeze, he smiled and nodded at her. "You're gonna be fine."

"Thanks," she whimpered. "Now get me the fuck outta here."

When Bishop arrived, Natasha was already in bed, ugly green hospital gown on, with a monitor around her belly. He smiled at her, although she was sleeping, and sat beside the bed. There had been so much paperwork he had to sign before they let him he was worried she'd have the baby by the time he got to her.

While waiting he even got a short, much needed, nap. They woke up with ten minutes of each other, both smiling broadly at the sight of the other.

"How you doing?

"Okay, I got an epidural so I'm feeling nothing right now," she laughed.

"Smart," he got up and kissed her tenderly. "You look good."

"Ew," she laughed. "You ready for this?"

"I think I should be asking you that," he joked.

"I'm not," she began to cry, "I'm scared, Bish."

"Hey," he said softly, "It's okay. You're gonna kick ass like you always do. I know it." It was the first time in seven years that Bishop had seen her so frightened, it actually scared him.

"I love you," she said. "I know this is unconventional but I do love you, really.

"I love you too, corazon."

"I think the night you wouldn't stop speaking Spanish to me is what got us here," she reminded him.

"Probably," he chuckled. "We had a good record though."

They joked and laughed as much as possible, Bishop leaving every so often to check in with his guys. He hated not being on the run, even though he trusted the others, and so he kept in contact with the club as much as he could.

"It's time," a nurse said, coming out from Natasha's room to her Bishop from the hallway.

"Oh shit."

"We got this," Coco said, sitting with Gilly in the back of the truck. "Go, prez."

Watching his daughter being born was amazing, he was awestruck and horrified all at the same time. Natasha didn't seem quite as amazed, she was screaming and grunting and sweating but he'd never been more enamored with her.

"It's a girl," the doctor proclaimed although they already knew, "Congratulations!"

They placed the screaming infant on her mother's chest, an exhausted but elated smile on Natasha's face, and Bishop looked on with tears in his eyes.

"She's perfect," he sighed. "That's our kid."

"Mm-hmm," she said, kissing the baby on the top of the head. "I thought she was going to have hair."

"I remember," he said, noticing Natasha's eyes growing heavy.

The nurses took the baby back, weighing her, checking her vitals and cleaning her up. By the time the baby was wrapped up, Natasha was sleeping so the nurses offered the bundle to BIshop. He took her apprehensively, growing more comfortable when she didn't immediately begin to cry.

"Hey Princesa, I'm your dad," Bishop cooed quietly. He turned to Natasha as she slept after such a long and arduous birth. "And that's your Mom."

"Liliana," Natasha sleepily reminded him. "Her name is Liliana."

"Liliana," Bishop smiled, "My Lili girl. It's nice to finally meet you," he whispered in a sing song voice.

•Current Time•

"Buenos dias," Natasha said cheerfully as she greeted the club. "Caballeros," she said, nodding at the others before kissing Bishop on the cheek. "Obispo. Can't be good to have you all at my door."

"I didn't know Bish had an old lady," EZ said to Angel quietly. They watched Bishop and Natasha stroll away, remaining in their spots to give them privacy.

"He doesn't," Angel said with a shrug. "Why, you like that shit?"

"No," EZ laughed. "Just, that," he gestured to Bishop's hand on her lower back as they walked.

"That's Tasha, Bish's kid's mom," Angel explained.

"That's Lili's mom?"

Angel nodded. "Yeah. She's been around since before the club. They're not together but," he shook his head, "They are."

"He's still hittin' that," Coco remarked.

"Oh hell yeah," Gilly said with a laugh. "He's always been hittin' that."

As the others gossiped, Bishop and Natasha talked business with a bit of personal woven in.

"I haven't noticed anything," Natasha told him. "When did it happen?"

"Last night," Bishop explained. "It's a long shot but there's a lotta back roads around here."

"Sorry," she frowned. "Nothing."

Bishop sighed. "Alright. How's it here? You all good?"

"You want a dog?" She asked. "We have two, they've been here forever. I can't take them but they're so sad, Bish."

"Me? No," he chuckled. "I don't have the time."

She eyed him for a second. "I think you still miss Jack, you know you can't replace him."

Bishop raised one finger silently signaling to her that he did not want to talk about his deceased dog.

"Okay," she said softly. "What about a club dog?" She suggested. "I have the perfect one for you guys."

"Big, nasty pit bull?" He said with a chuckle.

"Three legged basset hound," she laughed. "He's great, low maintenance and loves to cuddle." She looked over at the others. "I think there's more than a few em' they would love a warm, hairy body next to them."

"That's why I keep you around," he whispered into her ear, his raspy voice sending a shiver down her spine.

"You better be joking," she said with a raised eyebrow.

Bishop kissed her cheek. "Just about the hair," he winked. "How's my girl?"

"Good," Natasha nodded. "Currently obsessed with Peppa Pig."

"What is Peppa Pig?"

"Stupid show about a British Pig and her family," Natasha laughed.

Bishop laughed. "Sounds fucking annoying."

"You have no idea," Natasha complained.

"Everything good here?" He asked again noticing she had deflected earlier. "Any problems?"

"We had a few unwelcome guests," she rolled her eyes. "Casing the place we think. Haven't been back since I went a little crazy on em'. I may or may not have pulled a gun," she said timidly.

"You're gonna get yourself hurt," he chided. "Next time you call me, that's what we're here for."

"My Mayan Hero," she teased.

Bishop squeezed her ass, eliciting a yelp, and laughed at her surprised expression. "Smart ass."

"Be careful," she said, speaking serious for a moment. "I mean it, Bishop."

"You too," he said sternly.

The two kissed on the lips, although it was closed mouth and quick, before making their way back to the others.

"Keep an eye on him," Natasha said to the guys teasingly.

"Prospect," Bishop said, giving her a devious look, "Stay with Natasha, keep an eye around the place," he ordered. "They've had some unwelcome attention."

"Bishop," she snapped. "Come on."

"It's only because I care, querida," he teased her.

Natasha looked at him with anger, trying to hide her smile, as he got back onto his bike and les the others back onto the road.

"I'm EZ," he said politely.

"Natasha," she smiled. "You don't really have to stay."

"Oh, no, I do," he told her. "You know how it works."

Natasha sighed heavily watching as Bishop raced down the road further and further and nodded. "Yeah, I do." She turned to him and smiled. "Alright, prospect, I'm putting you to work."

"Great," he complained jokingly. "This place yours?"

"Yep," she said proudly. "I used to work at a kill shelter, I hated it but with some help from Bish and Marcus I was able to open my own."

"Marcus? Alvarez?"

"Mm-hmm, El Padrino to you. Right?"

"Yeah," EZ laughed.

"This side doesn't really pay the bills," she explained, "But the back brings in a good chunk of money."

"The back?" He asked with furrowed brows.

Natasha nodded. "I have uhh, I guess a clinic, in the back. ODs, addicts looking to detox, that kind of mess. It's not fun but it's necessary and it lets me run this place financially and live, so win win."

EZ nodded. "Makes sense, it's actually a pretty clever setup, you have."

"I'm a pretty clever girl," she winked. "Happy to be out?" She asked, gesturing to the large bags of dog food piled in the corner.

EZ looked surprised. "Bish told you?"

"Yeah, I know all about you guys," she laughed. "You're his family, he talks about you all a lot and Lili, she just thinks the world of all her uncles."

EZ smiled and nodded, getting to work moving the bags for Natasha. "She's such a cute kid, got Bish wrapped around her finger."

"Isn't it adorable?" She laughed. "She's the best thing that happened to both of us."

"Bish says that too."

Natasha smiled at that. "He's sweet," she said casually, "Too sweet sometimes."

EZ continued to work, silent now, and Natasha returned to the front of the kennel. Whenever Bishop came by unexpectedly she suffered from a wandering mind the rest of the day and it always wandered back to Bishop.

Grabbing her phone from behind the desk, she texted him.

"You should come by for dinner tonight. Stop at Angel's dad's place and grab some steaks, I'm feeling particularly carnivorous."

She knew he was on the road so Natasha didn't mind the wait for a reply. About half an hour later, he text her back.

"I'm already hungry. See you at 7."

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