Disclaimer: Kurt Sutter and FX own any and all recognizable SOA characters.
Chapter 4:
"Swing, Swing from the tangles of
My heart is crushed by a former love
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again.
Wish cast into the sky
I'm moving on
Sweet beginnings do arise
She knows I was wrong
The notes are old,
They bend, they fold
and so do I to a new love."
-All American Rejects "Swing, Swing"
Stella stood in the middle of her home—quaint as it was, she loved it. It was a small two bedroom house with an open living space and an office area tucked into an alcove room off of the small foyer. It was cozy, but it felt like home. She couldn't wait to fire up the fireplace and relax.
Ben, the prospect, along with Opie, Jax, Happy, Tig and Chibs were working diligently, painting the walls of each room. It wouldn't take long because of the size of the house. She was surprised to learn that the previous owner had updated the kitchen completely. Stella was working cleaning the kitchen, not that it really needed it. Gemma was on a food run for everyone who was working inside since they would start the outside clean-up when they had finished. Bobby and Piney were ordering around the other 2 mechanics at the garage.
Stella heard a bike pull up with Gemma's SUV. She decided to help carry the burgers and fries in. She was, however, shocked to find Kozik with a goofy grin on his face outside with Gem.
Kozik stared at Stella as she neared him. "So I got this call last night about a VERY grown-up version of you. I had to see it for myself. When the hell did you turn into a woman, kid?"
Stella hugged Koz tightly, "Everyone keeps asking me that. I've had tits since I was 14. You guys just didn't notice."
Kozik laughed with her as she helped carry in the food as well. Gemma shook her head at the conversation, smirking lightly, before taking her leave. She had to go find appliances for the kitchen.
Stella looked up at Kozik. He was blatantly staring right at her chest. She shook her head at him and grabbed his hands placing them on her breasts. Kozik's eyes grew wide—he was speechless. Stella spoke for him, "You were staring a hole through them. Just squeeze and feel and get over 'em."
Kozik backed her against the counter and was about to lean in when they heard boots headed toward them. Gemma had alerted the bikers that food was delivered. Kozik stepped back from a slightly aroused Stella and greeted his brothers as they entered the small kitchen.
Stella observed the guys as they crowded the room, her eyes landed on the Redwood patch on Kozik's kutte. She scrunched her brow in confusion. "How the hell did you get voted into Redwood? You and Tig hate each other."
Tig spoke up, "Fucker voted in while I was detained. Though I don't so much hate him. He's like an annoying little brother. I just want to punch him in the nuts…a lot."
Kozik smiled, "Oh, Tiggy. You love me. Let's just skip the charade and run off into the sunset together."
Tig threw a french fry at Kozik to which Stella responded, "Throw something else in my kitchen and I will shank you."
Once the guys had finished eating, they went to work on the yard while the paint dried. Gemma arrived shortly after, followed by 2 delivery trucks, one held her new appliances and furniture, the other was filled with her personal belongings and some of the furniture from the apartment she shared with Scott. His parents had told her to keep the items they shared—even let her keep the ring. They were lovely people and knew she would want to keep some things that reminded her of him.
The guys helped move the furniture in—even putting it together. Juice took care of all of the tech-y stuff—even wiring a home theater surround sound system through the walls. Boxes were placed in room according to the labels; she would unpack them later. Gemma helped her put on her bed linens and the linens for the guest room. The only other room that was completely unpacked by the end of the day was the kitchen. Gemma knew her daughter loved to cook and bake—she wanted her to be able to do so immediately if her heart desired.
Stella couldn't believe the progress. The only things she really had to do were unpack her books, cds, and clothes and plant some flowers around her back patio. Her family had gone above and beyond for her—even filing her hot tub and turning it on to heat up in case she decided to use it later that evening.
As the guys took a breather before they were to leave, Clay spoke with Stella in the kitchen. "There's some stuff goin' on with the club. ATF is snooping and I don't want you alone. I'm going to have Hap and Kozik switch off days and stay with you, so you're not alone." Stella started to protest, but her dad cut her off, "I don't want to worry about you, sweetheart. Please let me have this. Plus, it gets them a few nights away from the clubhouse haze. We all need that every once in a while."
Stella nodded, sensing she wouldn't win that battle. The men were informed and looked pleased. Kozik even called first dibs to which Happy smacked him on the back of his head and informed him, "You make a mess of her house, I will personally cut off your head and use your precious hair as a mop."
Kozik made a face and plopped down on the couch, propping his feet on the large ottoman. Each of the guys took off except Hap and Koz. Hap explained, "I need to check the perimeter before I leave."
As he did so, Stella waited next to her driveway for him to return to his bike. When he did, she smiled at him. "Thank you, Happy." She placed a hand on his cheek and kissed the other.
Happy kissed her chastely on the lips, stunning Stella. He nodded toward the house, "Keep him in line."
Stella smiled and nodded as Happy slipped on his bike and took off.
AN: Kozik or Happy? I'm still on the fence. I usually ship Happy, but we will just have to see which way I fall.