A/N: Just a reminder that Chapter 9 of Leather and Cigarettes occurs in between this chapter and the last. If you haven't read it there is a part of this chapter that may be a surprise. And also as I wrote at the end of Leather and Cigarettes: Chapter 9, Tig and Cass's story will now continue here with the exception of any one shot you guys may be interested in. Ie: If there is anything in this story between Tig and Cass that I may only touch upon and you would like to know more please let me know through your reviews and I may write a one shot to add to Leather and Cigarettes. Happy reading!


Chapter 8:

"Did you hear the news?" Happy asked from beside Hailey as they sat in the waiting room of a swanky looking doctor's office.

"What news is that?" Hailey asked distractedly.

"Tig and Cass are getting married." He answered.

"Yeah. Cass called me earlier this morning." Hailey said studying her hands. He could tell she was nervous, distracted even scared of what news this doctor would deliver. She'd found the best and most reputable one she could at his insistence which had led them here to Sacramento. After many invasive tests that had nearly had him knocking the doctor out for being so close to her privates they were waiting on the results.

He knew how important the ability to have a kid had become to Hailey. He knew also that the main thing on her mind right now was not so much about wanting a kid but the fear of not being able to have one. He reached across and took her hand in his.

"We'll get through this Princess." He said quietly.

She gave him a small smile back, grateful that he was here with her. She knew things were chaotic in Charming right now and she had been surprised that he'd taken so much time away from it to be with her through all this.

"Hailey Winston?" The receptionist called from her desk. Hailey looked across at her. "You can go in now Ms. Winston."

Happy stood first and pulled Hailey to her feet beside him, placed his arm around her shoulders and led her to the door of the waiting specialist. The receptionist didn't take her eyes off him. He wasn't wearing his kutte or any distinguishing colors but still had an intimidating presence that made most nervous.

"Ah Ms. Winston, take a seat." The specialist said as she entered. "Mr. Lowman," he acknowledged as Happy sat in the seat next to Hailey. Hailey was surprised at the composure this doctor was able to muster in Happy's presence when she thought of how overbearing and intimidating he had been throughout the majority of the testing that had been undertaken in the previous weeks.

"What can you tell us Doc?" Happy asked.

"I'm afraid it isn't good news." He said from the other side of the desk.

Hailey felt her heart sink as she reached for Happy's hand beside her. He took it and glanced across at her.

"As previously discovered your remaining fallopian tube is significantly scarred most likely via an undiagnosed infection, but that in itself does not pose a problem for a successful pregnancy. What is of concern is that you also have mild uterine scarring, commonly referred to as Asherman's syndrome."

"Did the asshole that raped her cause that too?" Happy asked a little gruffly. Hailey squeezed his hand in hers as the doctor across from them who had more composure than Tara could ever muster in Happy's presence, answered him.

"It is most commonly caused by a D&C procedure after a miscarriage or in this case for the purposes of a termination so in a manner of speaking yes."

Happy glowered feeling comfort however in Hailey's thumb stroking softly against the side of his hand.

"So you're saying that I can't have kids?" Hailey asked quietly.

"Not without medical intervention. There are a number of surgical options to repair the damage and in most cases a viable pregnancy can certainly be achieved. However if any procedure we perform were successful any pregnancy you carry Ms. Winston would be high risk."

"High risk how?" Happy asked.

"It could be to the detriment of the baby, mother or both." The doctor answered cautiously.

"You mean she could die?" Happy's voice became gruffer.

"Maternal mortality is rare these days but yes, Hailey would be at an increased risk."

"Well that settles it. We don't need to hear anymore Doc. C'mon Princess." He said rising from his seat.

"Mr. Lowman please there are plenty of options and high risk pregnancies receive the highest level of care."

"If it means my Old Lady could die bringin' my baby into this world then forget it Doc. We're done." Happy ushered Hailey from the room and marched straight over to the receptionist who looked like she feared for her life.

"Sign here please Mr. Lowman." She managed as she slid a piece of paper across the counter toward him. Happy signed and slid the paper back.

"Will you be needing another appointment Ms. Winston?" She asked Hailey.

Hailey gave a small shake of her head. "No." She said quietly.

"Very well. An invoice will be sent out to you. Thank you for your business." She said by way of dismissal. She looked like she was thanking her lucky stars that she wouldn't need to cross paths with Happy Lowman again.

Hailey held herself together until she was sitting in the passenger seat of her truck, with Happy sliding into the driver's seat beside her. He saw the onslaught of tears coming before they even arrived.

"C'mere Princess." He said reaching across to her.

"No Happy!" She sobbed through her tears turning on him. "How can you dismiss this so quickly? After everything we've been through and to find out that we do have options you just give up so quickly?"

"Princess, did you hear what he said in there? You have a baby and you could die! I'm not taking that risk!"

"And what about me? Do I get a say?" She snapped.

"Princess is it really a risk you want to take?"

She leant against the dashboard and sobbed allowing him to place his arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Hap." She said through her tears. "I just really hoped that Tara was wrong and I hoped too that finally something good could happen to us."

"I know Princess. I hoped so too."

"It's just not fair Hap. After all the shit that Joel put me through and I'm still paying for it."

"I don't know what to say Princess except that I love you." Happy said knowing that if he dwelt too long on the words she had just spoken he'd likely put a fist through her windscreen.

"Can we maybe talk about this again later?" Hailey asked quietly.

"What's there to talk about?" Happy snapped.

"He did say we have options Hap."

"Princess I'm not letting you risk your life for this. End of story."

Hailey sighed. She knew that she would press him further on this but she also knew that now was not the time. She had to let in sit with him for a while before they discussed it any further.

"Let's just go home Hap. You said you had club stuff to take care of didn't you?" Hailey said composing herself and putting on her seatbelt.

"Yeah." He said putting the truck into gear and heading out of the parking lot to take her home.


Jax and Happy pulled up out the front of Clay's house, Tig and Chibs not far behind them.

"So we gotta get him to admit that he didn't kill Piney in self-defense?" Tig asked as he swung his leg off over his bike and headed toward the front door with the others.

"It's the only way we're gonna get a mayhem vote through." Jax responded as he banged his fist against the door.

Juice answered dressed only in his boxers.

"Juicy boy, we gotta talk to Clay." Chibs greeted.

"Oh ah … He's not here." Juice answered a little nervously.

"And clearly Ava is." Chibs said taking in his attire or lack thereof.

"Ah yeah." Juice said a slight smirk coming to the corner of his mouth.

"Where'd he go?" Jax asked.

"He said something about talking to Hailey as he left." Juice answered.

"Oh shit!" Happy said as he turned back toward his bike.

"Holy shit Juice! You let him go talk to Hailey without tailing him?" Jax exclaimed as he turned at headed back towards his bike also, the other two men quickly following.

"Hailey at home Hap?" Jax addressed him as he readied to ride off.

"Yeah and she ain't in the frame of my mind to take any of Clay's shit." He said before tearing out of the driveway. The others followed not knowing what they were going to find.


A/N: Just a short chapter as it was longer but I decided to split it in two to keep you all hanging. I haven't done that in a while, hehe! Please let me know your thoughts!